A FAMILLE-ROSE 'FRUIT AND BUTTERFLY' BOWL SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG

the deep rounded sides flaring sharply at the rim, finely painted with a branch of fruiting and flowering passion fruits entwining around a spray of bamboo attended by two butterflies, the four large fruits with their skins delicately picked out in yellow, pink and green, the design climbing over the rim and continuing in the interior, the base inscribed with a six-character reign mark in underglaze blue

The overall condition of the bowl is excellent, with only some minor wear to the interior and some stained pinprick burst air bubbles. The unglazed footring has a very shallow flake of approx. 0.9 cm. Almost all of the original enamelling has been well preserved.
"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."

Two similar Qianlong bowls from a pair in the Percival David Foundation, London, are published in the Illustrated Catalogue of Ch'ing Enamelled Wares, London, 1958, no. 897, and in The World's Great Collections. Oriental Ceramics, vol. 6, Tokyo, 1982, no. 274; for one in the Musée Guimet, Paris, see op.cit., vol. 7, Tokyo, 1981, col. pl. 91; another is included in the Illustrated Catalogue of Tokyo National Museum. Chinese Ceramics, vol. II, Tokyo, 1990, no. 660. Another similar pair of bowls has been sold in these rooms, 8th April 2011, lot 3086.