A LARGE WHITE-GLAZED ANHUA-DECORATED 'PHOENIX' BOWL MARK AND PERIOD OF JIAJING |

well potted, the rounded sides gently rising from a straight foot to a flaring rim, the interior centre incised with a pair of confronting phoenix, the exterior similarly decorated with two phoenix flying among scrolling clouds, above a ring of radiating lotus petal lappets, the base inscribed with a six-character reign mark in underglaze blue within a double circle

An English private collection.

Overall in very good condition except for some minute scattered kiln grits and burst glaze bubbles. The bowl has a smoother exterior than appears in the catalogue illustration.
"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."

This bowl is rare for its large size and anhua decoration of phoenix. A closely related bowl was sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 29th November 1977, lot 61. Compare also a smaller bowl from the Hellner Collection, illustrated in Leopold Reidemeister, Ming Porzellane in Swedischen Sammlungen, Berlin, 1935, pl. 34b; and another sold in these rooms, 15th November 1988, lot 154. Bowls of this size but engraved with dragons are also known; see one sold in these rooms, 26th November 1976, lot 460; and another from the E.T. Hall collection sold at Christie's London, 7th June 2004, lot 52. For a bowl attributed to the Yongle period with a pair of anhua-decorated phoenix, see one illustrated in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, vol. 2, London, 1994, pl. 648; and another published in John Ayers, The Baur Collection, Geneva, vol. 2, Geneva, 1969, pl. A142.