Bol en porcelaine émaillée bleu Chine, marque et Epoque Yongzheng (1723-1735)

Les contours droits montant vers un bord évasé, décoré en léger relief de poissons et fleurs de lotus stylisées en émail blanc sur un fond bleu nuit, l'intérieur émaillé blanc avec la marque en zuanshu Yongzheng à six caractères dans un double cercle en bleu sous couverte; le couvercle décoré de façon similaire avec une prise en forme d'oiseau archaïque

The bowl is in good condition with some expected light surface scratches to the glaze inside. The cover with the knob repaired and reaffixed, and with a small hole drilled underneath the animal and piercing through. the cover The hole is wider (approx 6mm) inside the cover than on the exterior with some glaze missing on the "Zheng" character of the imperial nian hao beneath. Otherwise overall a very good piece.
"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 present bowl with its matching cover represents the finest slip-decorated wares produced in the Imperial kilns at Jingdezhen during Yongzheng's reign. The design of 'fish amongst aquatic plants' inspired by early fifteenth century Ming wares was especially favoured by the emperor who was an enthusiast for promoting Xuande and Yongle porcelain reproductions. For examples of the Ming design see a Xuande dish included in the Special Exhibition of Hsuan-te Wares, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1980, cat. no. 83, and another dish illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Monochrome Porcelain, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 64, both dishes of blue-glaze with white slip-decoration.

A Yongzheng covered bowl of the same pattern in the Honolulu Academy of Arts is illustrated in Sekai toji zenshu, vol.12, Tokyo, 1956, pl. 56. Another bowl and cover from the collections of George de Menasce, Pierre de Menasce and F. Gordon Morrill, and included in a number of important exhibitions such as the O.C.S. jubilee exhibition The Ceramic Art of China, London, 1971, cat.no. 234, was sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 20th May 1987, lot 586.

See also a Yongzheng bowl of this design but lacking its cover from the Grandidier collection in the Musee Guimet illustrated in Sekai toji zenshu, vol. 15, Tokyo, 1983, pl. 157 and 158; and another sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 28th April 1992, lot 121.