A FINE WUCAI 'DRAGON AND PHOENIX' BOWL KANGXI MARK AND PERIOD |

with deep rounded sides, supported on a straight foot sweeping to a gently everted rim, the exterior enameled with alternating iron-red and green dragons and aubergine phoenix against leafy floral stems, below a band of the 'Eight Buddhist Emblems' and ruyi heads, all between line borders, the interior centering a roundel enclosing an iron-red dragon chasing a 'Flaming Pearl' amidst flames, the recessed base inscribed with a six-character reign mark in underglaze blue

Marchant, London, March 1997.

Maureen Cassidy-Geiger, The Arnhold Collection of Meissen Porcelain, 1710-50, New York, 2008, pl. 354. 

Overall in good condition with a few minor iron spots and glaze bubbles.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Bowls painted in brilliant wucai enamels with a dragon and phoenix among leafy stems were an innovation of the Kangxi period. This auspicious design, which refers to the Emperor and Empress and conveys the wish for a happy marriage, grew in popularity in the succeeding reigns, and were produced through the Daoguang and Xianfeng periods.  Similar Kangxi mark and period bowls of three different sizes from the Nanjing Museum, were included in the exhibition Qing Imperial Porcelain of the Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong Reigns, Art Gallery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1995, cat. no. 26; a pair in the Shanghai Museum, is illustrated in Kangxi Porcelain Wares from the Shanghai Museum Collection, Hong Kong, 1998, pl. 153; a single bowl from the collection of C.P. Lin was included in the exhibition Elegant Form and Harmonious Decoration, Percival David Foundation, London, 1992, cat. no. 121; and a pair was included in the Hong Kong Oriental Ceramic Society exhibition Ch’ing Polychrome Porcelain, Fung Ping Shan Museum, Hong Kong, 1977, cat. no. 32.

For examples sold at auction, see two sold in these rooms, 20th March 2019, lot 531, and 13th September 2017, lot 3. See also one sold in our London rooms, 10th May 2017, lot 228.