A fine pair of famille-rose ‘balsam pear’ bowls Qianlong seal marks and period

each with deep rounded sides rising from a short foot to a flared rim, brightly enamelled to the exterior with a butterfly in flight amongst overhanging flowering and fruiting balsam pears and bamboo, the interior similarly decorated, inscribed to the base with a six-character seal mark

Collection of Sir Alfred Beit (1903-1994).

The bowls are in very good condition with the exception of some minute iron-spot glaze imperfections and very minor glaze scratches.
"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 pair of bowls of this type, from the Sir Percival David collection and now in the British Museum, London, is published in Illustrated Catalogue of Ch’ing Enamelled Wares, London, 1958, pl. 897; a bowl in the Musee Guimet, Paris, is included in Oriental Ceramics. The World’s Great Collections, col. 7, Tokyo, 1981, col. pl. 91; another is published in the Illustrated Catalogue of Tokyo National Museum. Chinese Ceramics, col. II, Tokyo, 1990, pl. 660; and a pair of bowls was sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 8^th April 2011, lot 3086.