A RARE GOLD-ENAMELLED BOWL YONGZHENG MARK AND PERIOD

the rounded sides rising from a short straight foot, covered inside and out with a rich gold enamel, the base inscribed with the six-character reign mark in underglaze blue

Acquired by the parents of the present owners in the UK in the early 20th century.

The bowl is in good condition with the exception of a shallow 8mm., wide rim chip, rubbing to the gold on the base of the interior and light scratches around the interior and exterior.
"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."

Bowls of this type include a slightly smaller example sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 20^th May 1987, lot 500; a pair sold twice in our Hong Kong rooms, 16^th November 1988, lot 331, and again, 28^th April 1992, lot 79; and a cup in the Sir Percival David collection and now in the British Museum, London, published in Margaret Medley, Illustrated Catalogue of Ming and Qing Monochrome Wares, London, 1989, pl. no. B598. An unmarked pair of bowls, in the Meiyintang collection, is illustrated in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, vol. 2, London, 1994, pl. 949.

 

Gilt-decorated porcelain is known from as early as the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) and flourished into a monochrome glaze in the early Ming dynasty (1364-1644); see a stembowl, in the collection of the Yomei Bunko, Tokyo, illustrated in Sekai toji zenshu [Ceramic art of the world], vol. 11, Tokyo, 1955, pl. 95. The use of gold was revived during the Kangxi reign (1661-1722), and was particularly popular for its luxuriousness during the Yongzheng period.