A FINE PAIR OF UNDERGLAZE-BLUE AND IRON-RED 'LOTUS' CUPS MARKS AND PERIOD OF YONGZHENG

each thinly potted with steep rounded sides flaring slightly at the everted rim, the very white porcelain delicately painted with four stylised lotus heads in rich iron-red surrounded by curling stems of scrolling trefoil foliage in underglaze-blue, with double-line borders encircling the rim, the base inscribed with the six-character mark within a double square

Christie's Hong Kong, 2nd May 1994, lot 748.

The bowls are in very good condition, and very well matched as a pair. Aside from a tiny ironspot and burst air bubble to the foot of one bowl, and an ironspot on the interior of the footring of the other bowl, there are no impurities. The enamels are very clean.
"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."

Bowls of this design can be found with different reign marks from the Ming dynasty onwards. For the 15th century origin of this design, compare a cup excavated from the late Chenghua stratum of the imperial kilns at Jingdezhen and included in the exhibition A Legacy of Chenghua, The Tsui Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1993, cat.no. C95. A similar pair of Yongzheng bowls is illustrated in Chinese Porcelain: The S.C.Ko Tianminlou Collection, Part II, Hong Kong, 1987, pl. 99.