A MEISSEN KAKIEMON SQUARE BOWL CIRCA 1730

painted around the exterior and interior with flowering prunus and other oriental flowers or fruit, crossed swords mark in blue enamel, engraved Japanese Palace Inventory number N=271 w.

The Royal Collections of Saxony, Japanese Palace, Dresden

There is a very minor 1/8-inch area of speckling to the rim edge and an associated patch beneath it, where the glaze did not adhere. Additionally, the blue and turquoise enamels have misfired slightly on the exterior giving it an uneven experience. Otherwise in generally 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.

The marks on the present example indicate that this bowl was among the porcelains manufactured by Meissen and intended for sale in Holland and France as part of a one year (1729-30) contract negotiated between the the French merchant Rudolph Lemaire, Augustus the Strong, the Finance Department and the Manufactory Commissioner, Carl Heinrich Count von Hoym and are discussed by Maureen Cassidy-Geiger, "Returning to Hoym, Lemaire und Meissen", Keramos, No. 146, 1994, pp.4-7, as well as by Julia Weber, "A Detective Story: Meissen Porcelains Copying East Asian Models. Fakes or Originals in Their Own Right?", Art Antiques London Catalogue of the seminar held between June 14th and 20th, 2012.
The 1770 inventory of the Japanese Palace records the present bowl under entry 271: "Dreyzehen Stück 4.eckichte dergleichen, mit gebrochenen Ecken, in-und auswending mit Blumen, 3. Zoll tief, 7. Zoll in Diam" ("thirteen square similar [rinsing bowls], with broken corners, the interior and exterior with flowers, 4 1/2 Zoll high, 7 1/2 Zoll diameter").
A similarly decorated Meissen octagonal bowl with the Japanese inventory number 256 was sold in these rooms, May 21, 2004, lot 168.