A FAMILLE-ROSE 'BAMBOO AND FRUIT' BOWL SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF DAOGUANG

the finely potted sides painted on the exterior with passion fruit growing on flowering and leafy vines and tendrils wrapped around bamboo stalks, two of the ripe fruit with skin bursting open to reveal the orange flesh inside, the design climbing over the rim and continuing in the interior, the base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character reign mark

Sotheby's Hong Kong, 8th April 2007, lot 812.

Apart from a few very minor enamel pulls to one of the fruit, the overall condition is very good.
"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 Daoguang covered bowl of this design is illustrated in Geng Baochang, Ming Qing ciqi jianding, Hong Kong, 1993, pl. 513; and a pair from the Edward T. Chow collection was sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 25th November 1980, lot 170, and again, 28th April 1998, lot 844. See also a pair of bowls with this decoration sold in our New York rooms, 21st September 2006, lot 352.
For an extensive discussion of the depicted fruit, see Ka Bo Tsang, 'An Unusual Botanical Motif: The Bitter-sweet Kugua', Orientations, October, 1993, pp. 64-7, where figs. 1 a-b, a Qianlong example in the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, is illustrated. In the former article Tsang also notes (p. 67) that the symbolic meaning of the composition of the decoration in the guoqianzhi (branch over a wall) manner, revoking the expression changzhi (long reign), is the wish for a long and prosperous reign. For a Qianlong example, see the previous lot, lot 2072.