A BLUE AND WHITE BOWL XUANDE MARK AND PERIOD

the deep rounded sides rising from a straight foot to a flaring rim, painted to the interior in bright cobalt-blue tones with a lotus blossom borne on feathery leafy tendrils within a double circle in the centre, surrounded by an undulating composite floral scroll in the well and a classic floral scroll at the rim, the exterior similarly decorated with a composite floral scroll above a layer of lotus lappets, the rim bordered by a keyfret pattern and the foot encircled with a classic scroll band, inscribed to the base with a six-character Xuande mark within a double circle

The bowl has two areas of restoration along the rim (8 x 3cm and 7 x 2cm) with visible overpainting, associated cracks have also been filled and painted over. There is an iron spot near the central medallion in the interior which appears dark brown. The surface of the bowl has an extensive network of crackle and the glaze is stained. The base also has a network of brown-stained firing cracks.
"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 closely related example in the British Museum, London, is illustrated in Jessica Harrison-Hall, Ming Ceramics, London, 2001, pl. 4:24, together with a slightly smaller example, pl. 4:25; another of this size, from the Eumorfopoulos and Braithwaite Collections, was sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 30th April 1991, lot 12; and a third example formerly in the Alfred Clark collection is published in Chinese Porcelain. The S.C. Ko Tianminlou Collection, pt. 1, Hong Kong, 1987, pl. 21. 

 

Compare bowls of this type but of slightly smaller dimensions, such as one included in Mary Tregear, Guide to Chinese Ceramics in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, 1966, pl. 30; another in the John A. Pope collection, included in the Exhibition of Ming Blue and White, Philadelphia Museum, Philadelphia, 1949, cat. no. 45; and a third example sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 27th May 2008, lot 1846.

 

For the inspiration of this bowl see one of this size included in the exhibition Imperial Porcelain of the Yongle and Xuande Periods Excavated from the Site of the Ming Imperial Factory at Jingdezhen, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1989, cat. no. 44, found in the late Yongle stratum.