A GREEN-GROUND AUBERGINE-ENAMELLED 'DRAGON' BOWL MARK AND PERIOD OF YONGZHENG |

skilfully potted with deep rounded sides rising from a tapered foot to a flared rim, the exterior superbly incised and enamelled in aubergine with a dynamic scene depicting a pair of dragons soaring sinuously above crashing waves amidst flaming wisps, each scaly mythical beast rendered five-clawed and chasing a flaming pearl, all against a bright grass-green ground, the base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character reign mark within a double circle

The bowl is in good overall condition. There are two faint approx. 0.5 cm hairlines to the rim at the 9 and 12 o'clock positions of the mark. There is a crescent firing flaw to the inner foot.
"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."

Green- and aubergine-enamelled bowls of this design from the Yongzheng reign are extremely rare, and were modelled on earlier prototypes from the Kangxi period. Such design rendered in this colour scheme proved to be popular among the Qing court, as similar bowls continued to be made in the subsequent reigns. A closely related example from the Qing court collection and now preserved in the Palace Museum, Beijing, is illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures in the Palace Museum. Miscellaneous Enamelled Porcelains Plain Tricolour Porcelains, Shanghai, 2009, pl. 129. The identical size and close comparison of the mark calligraphy on these bowls suggest they are probably by the same hand and may have been destined as pairs. Bowls of this design from the Kangxi and Qianlong reigns are also illustrated ibid., pls 126 and 130.