A FINE AND VERY RARE WHITE BOWL MARK AND PERIOD OF JIAJING

the deep rounded sides elegantly rising from a tapered foot to a flared rim, applied overall with a smooth transparent glaze, the base inscribed with a six-character reign mark within a double ring in underglaze blue

Sotheby’s London, 9th December 1975, lot 123.
Collection of The British Rail Pension Fund.
Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 16th May 1989, lot 3.

Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, London, 1994-2010, vol. 2, no. 697.

The mouthrim has two areas (2.5 and 4.5 cm) which have been slightly polished. The bowl is otherwise in very good condition with only a tiny burst air bubble and a pinhole near the rim on the outside.
"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."

Monochrome white bowls are very rare in the Jiajing period and the elegant shape of the present bowl is related to that of much smaller cups of Xuande mark and period (AD 1426-35); see a cup from the collection of Sir Percival David, sold in our London rooms, 6th July 1976, lot 126 and offered again in these rooms from the Hall Family Collection, 2nd May 2000, lot 502.

A white Jiajing bowl of this form, perhaps different from the present one, was also sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 31st October 1974, lot 118.