A CHINESE EXPORT SHIPPING BOWL circa 1775-85

painted on the front and reverse with a smoky naval engagement between a British ship and two French ships beyond, the interior with a central 'Mandarin palette' floral cluster beneath a floral garland border around the rim. 

Earle D. Vandekar of Knightsbridge, New York, February 26, 1983

Good condition; wear to center of interior from use, occasional wear to the exterior enamels.
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.

An identical bowl with the British ship flying a 'King's Jack,' a Union Jack and the vice admiral's flag, and the two French ships flying the white Bourbon flag, is illustrated by Howard and Ayers, Vol. I, p. 224, no. 221, and on p. 223 the authors suggest that the scene depicts a naval battle that "probably took place during the Seven Years War (1756-63)," and it is likely that it was copied from an earlier and more detailed example for which the print source has not been identified.  A similar bowl is illustrated by J. Thompson, "Grandeur of Chinese Punch Bowls," Country Life Annual, 1970, p. 47, color pl. 9 (right).  Another is illustrated by Hervouët and Bruneau, p. 48, no. 2.37, and was in the collection of François Hervouët, sold at Sotheby's in London on November 3, 1987, lot 805.

A slightly larger but similarly bordered bowl with the same marine view in which the smaller ships are flying the Dutch colors, was in the Garbisch Collection, sold by Sotheby Parke Bernet at "Pokety Farms" in Cambridge, Maryland on May 22, 1980, lot 299, lending credence to the theory that the unidentified source print became widely circulated throughout Europe, and eventually was reproduced as a generic scene in which the ships' flags could be adapted to suit the nationality of the commission.