A SMALL FAMILLE-VERTE AND ANHUA DECORATED 'THREE FISH' CUP QING DYNASTY, KANGXI PERIOD

delicately potted, the steep sides rising from a small tapering foot to a flared rim, painted around the exterior with three long-tailed fish finely detailed in shaded tones as if they were swimming amidst clear waters, evenly spaced and interspersed with green pondweed, the interior decorated in anhua with a dragon and a phoenix, the recessed base inscribed in underglaze blue with an apocryphal six-character Chenghua mark within a double-square

Sotheby's London, 6th July 1971, lot 171.
Collection of Edward T. Chow.
Sotheby's Hong Kong, 19th May 1981, lot 569.
A private Japanese collection.
Sotheby's Hong Kong, 8th October 2006, lot 1033.

Selected Works of Ancient Chinese Art, Bronze, Sculpture, Ceramics, 'Three Thousand Years of China: The Beauty of Beauty', Mitsukoshi, Tokyo, 1973, cat. no. 80.

The bowl is in overall very good condition, with a few minor shallow flakes to the inside of the footrim (the largest 3 mm).
"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."

Bowls of this form are rare although another pair painted with very similar pattern, from the collection of Winston Guest, was sold in our New York rooms, 2nd December 1967, lot 90. A pair of bowls of more shallow shape but with related decoration, from the Collection of H.M. Knight and included in the exhibition Oosterse Schatten, 4000 Jaar Aziatische Kunst, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, 1954, cat. no. 359, was sold in our London rooms, 12th May 1970.