A RARE INCISED CELADON-GLAZED 'LOTUS' BASIN QIANLONG SEAL MARK AND PERIOD

the shallow rounded sides slightly flaring out from a recessed base, encircled by a single raised fillet, finely incised on the interior with a lotus medallion surrounded by four overlapping chilong, two with incurved horns and two with bifurcated tails, detailed on the walls with five lotus flowers separated by interlocking archaistic kui dragons, the exterior walls similarly incised below a band of angular archaistic scrolls encircling the rim, covered overall with an even pale sea-green glaze pooling to a darker tone within the incised decorations, the footring and base glazed save for a round circle left in the biscuit applied with an orange wash encircling a seal mark in underglaze blue

The basin is in good condition with the exception of some glaze scratches to the interior and the footring has been slightly ground.
"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."

Notable for its finely incised design which emerges under a rich celadon glaze, this basin draws from celebrated porcelain traditions and reinterprets them to result in a rare and engaging piece. The attractive olive-green glaze displays the Qing Emperors’ admiration of Longquan celadon wares of the Song period, and their efforts to replicate it. The carved motif, on the other hand, appears to be an 18th century innovation that combines an archaistic dragon design with floral blooms.

Basins of this form and decorated with an archaistic scroll both on the interior and exterior are rare, although a closely related example was sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 20th May 1980, lot 77, and again, 24th November 1987, lot 117. Compare also a basin of this form and size but carved to the interior with bats, sold twice in our Hong Kong rooms, 26th October 1993, lot 121, and 8th October 2008, lot 2506.

Celadon-glazed basins decorated with incised motifs were also made in the preceding Yongzheng reign; see for example a washer decorated with a flower spray on the interior, sold at Christie’s London, 12th December 1988, lot 332, and possibly the same as that sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 3rd November 1998, lot 934.