A FINE AND RARE ANHUA-DECORATED WHITE-GLAZED BOWL MING DYNASTY, YONGLE PERIOD

finely potted with steeply rounded sides and everted rim springing from a gently tapering foot, masterfully decorated on the interior in anhua technique with a pair of mighty five-clawed dragons with scaly sinuous bodies racing around the sides to surround a delicately incised central wisp of cloud, the exterior faintly incised with a border of lotus petal lappets around the base, applied overall with an even white glaze of warm tone accented with slight orange-peel texture

Sotheby's Hong Kong, 2nd May 2000, lot 608.

The overall condition is very good with very crisp anhua decoration. There is just one minute pinprick 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. 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 slightly larger bowl was sold in these rooms, 17^th May 1988, lot 35; and another, formerly in the Carl Kempe collection and illustrated in Bo Gyllensvard, Chinese Ceramics in the Carl Kempe Collection, Stockholm, 1964, pl. 669, was sold in our London rooms, 4^th November 2009, lot 244A. Compare also slightly a larger bowl of this form, but with an anhua-decorated floral exterior and an incised medallion of two pomegranates in the interior, such as one in the British Museum, London, published in Jessica Harrison-Hall, Ming Ceramics, London, 2001, pl. 3:5; and another sold in our New York rooms, 4^th June 1982, lot 215, and again in our London rooms, 17^th November 1999, lot 750.