A fine large early Ming anhua-decorated white-glazed bowl, lianziwan, Yongle period (1403-1425). Estimate HK$3,000,000 – HK$5,000,000 ($390,000 - $650,000). Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2015
The bowl is finely potted with deep rounded sides, finely incised on the exterior with an unusually well defined band of lotus petals under a band of waves. The interior is decorated with a composite scroll bearing alternating chrysanthemum and camellia, and below another band of stylised crested breaking waves near the mouth rim. The bowl is covered overall with a warm milky-white glaze. 8 1/8 in. (20.7 cm.) diam.
Provenance: Ralph M. Chait Galleries, New York.
Carl Kempe Collection, sold at Sotheby's Paris, 12 June 2008, lot 40
Literature: Bo Gyllensvard, Chinese Ceramics in the Carl Kempe Collection, Stockholm, 1964, pl. 686, pl. 686
Chinese Ceramic Treasures: A Selection From The Ulricehamn East Asian Museum, Including The Carl Kempe Collection, Ulricehamn, 2002, p. 376, no. 877
Exhibited: Exhibition of Chinese Art, Palazzo Ducale, Venice, 1954, no. 592.
Notes: Compare a similar example from the Falk Collection illustrated in H. D. Ling and E. T. Chow, Collections of Chinese Ceramics from the Hall of Leisurely Pastime, Hong Kong, 1950, vol. II, no. 86, pp. 64-5; and in M. Komor, Imperial Porcelains of the Ming Dynasty, New York, 1951, no. 23, subsequently sold at Christie's New York, 20th September 2001, lot 133; and one, possibly from the Kenneth Malcome Collection, exhibited in the Oriental Ceramic Society Exhibition, Monochrome Porcelain of the Ming and Manchu Dynasties, 1948, Catalogue no. 108, sold at Christie's London, 17 June 2003, lot 18. Compare also the similar bowl from the Clark Collection, included in the London Oriental Ceramic Society exhibition, The Arts of the Ming Dynasty, 1957, illustrated in the Catalogue, no. 9, and later sold in Sotheby's London, 26th June 1973, lot 247. An example from the E.T. Hall Collection was sold at Christie's London, 7 June 2004, lot 268.
CHRISTIE'S. THE IMPERIAL SALE & IMPORTANT CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 3 June 2015, Convention Hall