A FINE INCISED WHITE-GLAZED 'LOTUS' STEMBOWL INCISED SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG

thinly potted, the wide flared bowl resting on a narrow hollow stem flaring toward the base, finely incised on the interior with six lotus blossoms wreathed by a continuous meandering foliate stem, encircling a central six-character seal mark enclosed within a double ring repeated at rim, the exterior walls similarly decorated with six large scrolling lotus, above a band of upright petal lappets on the underside and two further lotus flowers on the foot, all beneath a smooth transparent glaze slightly tinged with blue, the interior of the stem further glazed

Christie's London, 10th December 1979, lot 290.
Sotheby's Hong Kong, 31st October 2004, lot 220.

The stembowl is overall in good condition with only a pin-prick air bubble in the glaze on the exterior and a few other very minor speckles. The incising is very clear and sharp.
"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 Qianlong stembowl of this shape and incised design, one of a pair, is illustrated in John Ayers, Chinese Ceramics from the Baur Collection, vol. 2, Genève, 1999, pl. 304; and another similar stembowl in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, was included in the Special Exhibition of K'ang-hsi, Yung-cheng and Ch'ien-lung Porcelain Ware, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1986, cat. no. 83. Compare also a stembowl formerly in the Toguri Museum, Tokyo, sold in our London rooms, 9th June 2004, lot 9.