Lot 171. A fine famille-rose 'Hundred Boys' bowl, Jiaqing seal mark and period (1796-1820). Estimate 15,000 — 20,000 GBP. Lot sold 18,750 GBP. Photo Sotheby's.
the rounded sides rising from a straight foot to a slightly flared rim, the exterior delicately painted in bright enamels with a continuous scene of boys in a fenced garden with a small bridge spanning a stream, playing with fire crackers, lanterns and presenting peaches in a procession, with further boys watching from windows above, the recessed base inscribed with a seal mark in iron-red, 11.5 cm, 4 1/2 in.
Notes: The depiction of 'Hundred Boys' at play, representing the wish for many descendants, was a popular theme in the decorative arts of the Ming and Qing dynasties. The 'Hundred Boys' refers to King Wen of the Zhou dynasty who had ninety-nine sons and adopted one more to make one hundred.
Compare a single example of this rare series, sold by Christie's Hong Kong, 26th April 2004, lot 1077, another with a related design sold by Christie's Hong Kong, 1st May 1995, lot 680 and another sold in these rooms, 4th November 2009, lot 201.