A Rare 'Archaic-Bronze'-Glazed Petal-Molded Tripod Narcissus Bowl Yongzheng Seal Mark and Period

the low circular bowl with rounded sides and everted rim, molded in the form of six ribbed and barbed petals, all on a low conforming foot ring raised on three scrolling feet, the body covered with a rich opaque-brown glaze with black speckling and slight metallic sheen, thinning to a transparent mocha-brown on the underside of the base, six spur marks to the underside, wood stand (2)

Christie's Hong Kong, 25th October 1993, lot 803.

Generally good condition, small (less than 26mm by 4mm) area of surface restoration to rim, two glaze 'pimples' to interior, six interior ribs with minor glaze flakes. The estimate of this lot should be $40,000-$60,000, and the correct property designation is "Property of an Important Private Collection."
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Narcissus bowls with this type of dark-brown glaze made to simulate bronze are extremely rare. The shape of Qing narcissus bowls of this type are closely modeled after earlier mold-made flower vessels produced in Yuzhou, Henan province, an area formerly known as Junzhou. See three 'Jun' narcissus bowls of this elegant form illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Porcelain of the Song Dynasty (I), Hong Kong, 1996, pls. 29-31, all of different dimensions.

The present flower vessel is closely related to a piece from the Qing Court collection and still in Beijing, but covered in a purple glaze imitating 'Jun' wares, also with a Yongzheng reign mark and of the period, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Monochrome Porcelain, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 178, and also included in Zhongguo taoci quanji, vol. 14, Shanghai, 2000, pl. 232. Another similar Jun-type Yongzheng narcissus bowl in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, was included in the exhibition Qingdai danse you ciqi tezhan, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1981, cat.no. 84; a third is published in John Ayers, The Baur Collection, Geneva. Chinese Ceramics, vol. 3, Geneva, 1972, pl. A355, together with a mallow-shaped flowerpot also covered with a Jun-type glaze, pl. A 354.

A related Yongzheng narcissus bowl with Jun-type glaze was also sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 14th November 1989, lot 190; a lilac-glazed example was sold in our London rooms, 7th June 1988, lot 341. Compare also a smaller teadust-glazed vessel of this form, from the collection of Stephen Junkunc III, sold at Christie's New York, 21st September 1995, lot 251, with a rare four-character Yongzheng mark on the base.