A FINE DOUCAI 'SANDUO' BOWL MARK AND PERIOD OF YONGZHENG

finely potted with steep rounded sides flaring gently at the rim, delicately decorated on the exterior with brilliant transparent doucai enamels outlined in underglaze-blue with three fruiting sprays, including pomegranate, lychee and finger-citron, together forming the auspicious sanduo ('Three Abundances'), the foliage of each spray in tones of green borne on aubergine-coloured branches, between underglaze-blue lines below the lip and around the footring, the interior with a leafy cluster of two peaches in shaded apple-green and iron-red below an iron-red bud and flower, within double-lines repeated below the rim 

There is a minute 'pin-prick' just below the pomegranate group. This lot is overall in very good condition.
"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 outstanding care devoted to the application and subtle combination of the colours on this bowl reflect the high standards of porcelain painting at Jingdezhen under the directorship of Superintendent Tang Ying during the Yongzheng period. The emperor's deep appreciation and understanding of aesthetic harmony and technical virtuosity is also reflected in this bowl. It is a delicate masterpiece executed in the doucai painting style whereby the naturalistic drawing in fine blue outlines is filled-in with a polychrome wash. The doucai technique was the archetypical style of decoration in the Chenghua reign (1465-1487) of the Ming dynasty. Hence the bowl also echos the past, taking its cues from one of the most glorious periods of porcelain making in Chinese history. It is also worth noting that the decoration of sanduo or the 'three abundances', the pomegranate, peach and finger citron, is freely composed with a stippling technique used to highlight the ripen state of the three fruits. The sanduo motif is most auspicious with the three fruits representing the 'three plenty', long life, blessings and many sons.

Only two pairs of bowls of this elegant design appear to be recorded; one pair was sold in these rooms, 15th May 1990, lot 286; and the other pair, from the Collection of Sam'l C. David (1871-1940), was sold in our New York rooms, the first bowl, 27th November 1990, lot 190, and the second, 26th November 1991, lot 356. 

Smaller winecups painted with the sanduo design can be found in important museums and private collections. For example see a pair illustrated in Chinese Porcelain: The S.C. Ko Tianminlou Collection, Hong Kong, 1987, pl. 98; another pair, from the Edward T. Chow collection sold in these rooms, 19th May 1981, lot 561, and again, 28th April 1992, lot 211.