A large and rare yellow-glazed bowl Jiajing mark and period

robustly potted with deep rounded sides rising from a tapered foot to a flared rim, covered overall in a rich egg-yolk yellow glaze stopping at the foot, the white base inscribed with a six-character reign mark within a double-circle

This large bowl is in good condition, but there are four small glaze chips to the rim and some wear/scratches to the glaze to the interior
"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."

Jiajing yellow-glazed bowls of this large size are extremely rare and only one other example appears to have been published, from the collections of H.R.N. Norton and Ira and Nancy Koger, published in J. Ayers, Chinese Ceramics. The Koger Collection, London, 1985, pl. 75, and sold at Christie’s New York, 19^th September 2006, lot 247. A slightly smaller example measuring 30.3cm in diameter from the Qing Court collection and still in Beijing, is illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Monochrome Porcelain, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 43.

 

This bowl reveals the astonishing technical proficiency of the craftsman in both the potting and the glaze. Creating such a thin-walled bowl of these dimensions and covering it in an even glaze required a deep appreciation and considerable experience of both the materials and the firing process in order to prevent warping and misfiring.