Lot 3611
  • 3611

A FINE AND RARE PAIR OF DOUCAI 'FIGURAL' BOWLS MARKS AND PERIOD OF YONGZHENG |

Estimate
1,500,000 - 2,000,000 HKD
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Description

  • 12.8 cm, 5 in.
each with deep rounded sides rising from a short foot to a flared rim, the exterior delicately enamelled with a continuous scene depicting two conversing scholars and an attendant crossing a bridge nearby, the base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character reign mark within a double circle, wood stands

Provenance

Left: A European private collection.

Condition

Both bowls are in very good condition.
"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."

Catalogue Note

Skilfully decorated in a painterly manner with scholars in tranquil landscape scenes, these bowls not only testify to the great developments in porcelain production during the Yongzheng period, but also reflect the Emperor’s appreciation for the past. Doucai vessels painted with scholars first appeared during the Chenghua period. See, for example, a Chenghua mark and period doucai cup with two historical figures, Wang Xizhi and Yu Boya, from the Qing court collection and still preserved in Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Porcelains in Polychrome and Contrasting Colours, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 175.  During the Yongzheng period, Jingdezhen kilns saw a renaissance of doucai wares under imperial patronage and exquisite vessels such as the present pair were produced. Compare a Chenghua-mark doucai figural bowl of the Yongzheng period, similarly painted with multicoloured clouds, from the collection of Sir Percival David and now in the British Museum, illustrated in Rebecca Feng, Illustrated Catalogue of Ming and Ming Style Polychrome Wares in the Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art, rev. ed., London, 2006, no. A716; a slightly larger bowl decorated with two immortals and a crane, sold in these rooms, 8th October 2014, lot 3629; and a smaller example also with two immortals, first sold in our London rooms, 13th July 2005, lot 257, and again in these rooms, 3rd October 2018, lot 3655.