coupe en porcelaine bleu lazurite Chine, dynastie Qing, marque et époque Yongzheng (1723-1735)

de forme circulaire sur cinq pieds, cerclée de trois anneaux concentriques, les bords évasés, uniformément recouverte d'une belle glaçure bleue aux reflets irisés, marque incisée à quatre caractères Yongzheng à la base 

Perfect 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 present basin belongs to a small and rare group of wares which were especially favoured by the Yongzheng emperor and were made primarily under his reign. Potters working in the Imperial kilns at Jingdezhen started producing monochrome wares that reflected the emperor's fondness for unusual glazes. Porcelain simulating other materials were also introduced to the potters' repertoire that had expanded considerably by the first three decades of the 18th century. 

Apart from the glaze, the shape of the present basin is also unusual although it appears to be inspired by 12th century 'Jun' wares such as the bulb bowl included in Porcelain of the National Palace Museum : Chun Ware of the Sung Dynasty, Hong Kong, 1961, pl. 20. For Yongzheng examples of related form see a Jun-style vessel published in John Ayers, Chinese Ceramics in the Baur Collection, vol. 2, Geneva, 1999, pl. 262.

For examples of wares covered in this rare lazurite blue glaze see a garlic-head bottle-form vase, from the Qing Court collection and still in Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Monochrome Porcelain, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 194, together with a pomegranate-form zun and a flowerpot, pls. 196 and 197 respectively. See also a jar published in Kangxi. Yongzheng. Qianlong. Qing Porcelain from the Palace Museum Collection, Hong Kong, 1989, p. 289, pl. 118 ; and vase offered in our London rooms, 7th November 2007, lot 425.