AN IMPERIAL MOULDED GOURD BOWL QIANLONG SHANGWAN MARK AND PERIOD

the rounded sides skilfully moulded on the exterior with a repeated pattern of five stylised floral roundels, the underside moulded with a four-character Qianlong shangwan mark in regular script

Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 15th May 1990, lot 326.

The bowl is in overall good condition with just typical age cracks to the exterior, and natural cavities, one on the mark on the base, another on one 'ring' on the exterior. There were also small chips and fritting to the mouthrim. The interior and mouthrim appear to be applied in gold lacquer at a later stage.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The humble origins of the gourd and its association with the Daoist paradise made gourd objects highly appreciated by Chinese rulers as well as the scholar literati. A major development in the moulding of gourds commenced when the Kangxi Emperor commissioned gourd vessels to be made in the Palace Workshop which transformed this folk craft into an imperial art form. For a detailed discussion of the early history of moulded imperial gourds see Wang Shixiang, 'Moulded Gourds', Gugong Bowuyuan Yuankan, 1979, no. 1, pp. 86-91, translated by Craig Clunas in the Oriental Ceramic Society Chinese Transactions, no. 10, London, 1981, pp. 16-30.

Three Qianlong period gourd bowls, from the collection of Sir John Addis and now in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, are illustrated in Craig Clunas, Chinese Carving, Singapore, 1996; one bearing the mark Qianlong shangwan on the base, pl. 79; a bowl with an identical mark but with an everted rim, pl. 80; and an unmarked example attributed to the 18th century, pl. 82.

Another moulded gourd bowl of this form with similar Qianlong shangwan mark, illustrated by Wang Shixiang, The Charms of the Gourd, Hong Kong, 1993, p. 43, fig. 9, and p. 76, fig. 9, was sold in these rooms, 8th October 2009, lot 1815, from the Water, Pine and Stone Retreat collection.