A 'FAMILLE-ROSE' YELLOW-GROUND MARRIAGE BOWL TONGZHI MARK AND PERIOD

the deep rounded sides rising from a short tapering foot to an everted gilt rim, brightly enamelled around the exterior with magpies perched on blossoming prunus and all reserved on a rich yellow ground, the interior and base white

This bowl is in very good condition with the exception of some minute burst glaze bubbles to the interior and there is minor rubbing to the gilding at the rim .
"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."

A closely related bowl in the Palace Museum, Beijing, is published together with a discussion of this design of magpies and prunus blossoms, in Guanyang yuci, Beijing, 2007, pp. 78-80. A slightly larger bowl was sold at Christie's Singapore, 30^th March 1997, lot 290; and a similarly enamelled pair of cups was sold at Christie's New York, 22^nd March, lot 424.

According to Ronald W. Longsdorf, 'The Imperial Tongzhi Porcelain', Orientations, October 1996, p. 70, the design of the present bowl is one of the thirteen designs produced for the wedding celebration of the Empress Dowager's Son, the Tongzhi Emperor Zaichun. The wedding was of unique historical significance as it was the first Imperial wedding since that of the Kangxi emperor (r. 1662-1722), as all the succeeding emperors were already married by the time they ascended the throne. The Provincial Governor of Jiangxi Province, was appointed to supervise the production of these porcelains to be used during the wedding.

The combination of magpies amidst plum blossoms alludes to the rebus sixi shangmei (four magpies settle on the branches of the plum tree) and represents the wish for 'may four-fold joy shine on you'.