A RARE BLUE AND WHITE 'IMMORTALS' WARMING BOWL MING DYNASTY, CHENGHUA PERIOD

the double-walled vessel modelled with a deep rounded bowl resting on a short foot and joint on the interior with a shallow bowl, the exterior decorated with two pairs of figures in a rural landscape, the interior of the shallow bowl centred with two seated immortals surrounded by ruyi-shaped cloud scrolls with tall mountains in the background, the base pierced with a small aperture

Christie's Hong Kong, 25th October 1993, lot 722.

There is a small restored flake of approx. 0.8 cm to the mouthrim. Apart from some minor surface scratches and typical wear, especially to the rim and the interior, there are also some insignificant firing imperfections such as a glaze gap to the underside.
"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."

Double-walled warming bowls were made to hold medicine and food. They were made by joining together two bowls of slightly different size, the outer bowl with a circular hole at the foot to allow hot water to fill the cavities between the two bowls and keep the vessel and its contents warm.

A bowl of this type, attributed to the Hongzhi period, was included in the exhibition Chinese Porcelain in Underglaze Blue from the Nanjing Museum Collection, Sagawa Art Museum, Moriyama, 2003, cat. no. 39. See also a warming bowl painting with a floral scroll on the exterior and attributed to the Chenghua reign, from the Carl Kempe and Falk Collections, sold twice at Christie’s New York in 2001 and 2008, and again in these rooms, 8th April 2014, lot 3025.