A VERY RARE CANTON ROSE MEDALLION 'HONG' BOWL CIRCA 1847-56

painted on the exterior and center of the interior with typical panels of figures, and on the interior with two identical scenes of the Hongs at Canton, showing the American, British and Danish flags. Riveted repairs.

The bowl has been broken into three large pieces with associated smaller breaks. One break runs from just above the upper left corner of the uppermost hong panel, - please refer to the illustration of the interior in the catalogue - down and across the left-hand figure in the center and up the other side, ending above the center of the other hong panel. The other large break starts at the rim above the butterfly to the right of the upper hong panel, down and diagonally through the figural panel on the right side, up and through the lower hong panel, ending at the rim above its center, near the first break. There are three small 1-in. triangular breaks between the ending points of the two large breaks and a small repaired chip at the starting point of the first break. All have been repaired with rivets. Additionally there is a 3-in. fine haircrack running from the rim downwards into the center of the upper hong panel and a starcrack to the center of the bowl, visible on the underside but not readily apparent on the interior.
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.

Although mid-19th century views of the Hongs at Canton are known in both oil and watercolor paintings, this depiction on Canton porcelain is extremely rare, if not unique.  The view, although somewhat stylized, shows bushes and trees along the waterfront and a stylized representation of a church between the American and British hongs, which suggests a date between 1847, when the church was built, and 1856 when the factories burned. For painted views of the hongs at this period see Carl L. Crossman, The Decorative Arts of the China Trade, p. 97, pl. 32 (probably a slightly earlier view), p. 140, col. pl. 45 and p. 195, pl. 96, and pp. 423-435 for a guide to dating views of the hongs.