A FINE AND RARE BLUE AND WHITE FRUIT BOWL YONGZHENG MARK AND PERIOD

of shallow form with wide rounded sides, painted on the exterior with a continuous band of scrolling lotus flowers between a border of stylized cresting waves around the rim and a band of S-scrolls around the base, the six-character mark enclosed within a rectangular panel below the rim, all painted in differing tones of underglaze-blue simulating the 'heaping and piling' effect of early Ming wares

Sotheby & Co., London, 2nd and 3rd December 1974, lot 469.

There has been some glaze fritting and several very shallow chips to the exterior rim, which has been subsequently polished. There is also a 3 in. section of light polishing to fritting on the interior rim edge. Otherwise, in good 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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

For the inspiration of this design compare two shallow thickly-potted 'fruit' bowls in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, with Xuande reign marks above the flowers, included in Minji meijin zuroku, vol. I, Tokyo, 1977, pl. 59, with a scrolling band of various flowers above a classic scroll, but a plain line around the rim, and pl. 60, with a lotus scroll and a band of detached clouds around the rim.

A similar bowl was sold in our London rooms, 19th June 2002, lot 57. See also a similar bowl painted with a variety of flowers exhibited at the Exhibition of Ming and Ch'ing Porcelain from the Collection of the T.Y. Chao Family Foundation, Hong Kong Museum of Art, and subsequently sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 19th May 1987, lot 273.