AN IRON-RED AND UNDERGLAZE-BLUE ‘MYTHICAL BEAST’ BOWL QIANLONG SEAL MARK AND PERIOD

the deep rounded sides rising from a slightly tapered foot to a flared rim, painted on the exterior in underglaze blue with a continuous frieze of mythical beast including winged horses, dragons and chimeras against crashing waves in iron-red, the rim and the foot encircled by stylised keyfret bands, decorated to the interior with a central medallion enclosing a winged dragon writhing amongst iron-red waves, the base inscribed with a seal mark

The von Medam de Courlande Family Collection.

With the mark facing upwards, there are two shallow rim chips covered in old restoration, at 12 and 10 o'clock positions. There is a polished shallow chip/ area of fritting at 3 o'clock position (2cm wide), and a glazed-over nick/ glaze pull to 4 o'clock position (0.7cm wide). Minor glaze firing imperfections including some stained glaze crackles to the top left of the mark, and some surface wear.
"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 bowl of this pattern, from the Donnelly collection, was included in the Oriental Ceramic Society exhibition The Animal in Chinese Art, London, 1968, cat. no. 164; two were sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 23rd May 1981, lot 1253, and 14th November 1989, lot 251; and another was sold in these rooms, 13th May 2009, lot 211.