A LARGE FINE AND RARE 'CLAIR-DE-LUNE' BASIN SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF YONGZHENG

robustly potted, of compressed globular form, the rounded sides elegantly rising from a small bulge above the straight foot to high rounded shoulders and a lipped rim, covered overall with an even 'clair-de-lune' glaze finely suffused with bubbles, the base inscribed with a six-character seal mark in underglaze blue, set on a carved wood stand reticulated on top with a large foliate lotus

A private Japanese collection.

The basin is in very good condition. The actual colour is quite close to the catalogue illustration.
"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."

Compare another example of this form with a pale celadon glaze from the Zande Lou Collection, now in the collection of the Shanghai Museum, illustrated in Qing Imperial Monochromes from the Zande Lou Collection, Hong Kong, 2005, no. 14, p. 62. In the catalogue entry for the Zande Lou basin, Zhou Lili suggests that these were often used as fishbowls. See also another example in the Palace Museum Collection, Beijing, illustrated in Monochrome Porcelain, The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 1999, no. 206, pl. 228. Another example with the exterior glazed deep blue with Yongzheng six-character seal mark and of the period was sold in these rooms, 30th March 2006, lot 318.