A FINE AND RARE YIXING DOUBLE-POMEGRANATE WATERPOT SIGNED CHEN MINGYUAN QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

the two naturalistically modelled fruit joined at the side and connected by a pierced channel, one fruit with the upper section sliced off to form an open receptacle, the other modelled in the round with leaves and twigs in crisply moulded relief and applied with two small buds in brick-red clay, a small pierced aperture at the top masked by the twigs, the opening of the channel on the inside of the other fruit also masked by a facetted shelf, each fruit with a small star-shaped calyx protruding from the side, the pale beige stoneware attractively splashed with red colouring, inscribed with a verse in running script on the bowl, signed Mingyuan, followed by the seals Chen and Mingyuan, the back of the whole fruit impressed with the seal Meng shi zhencang ('Treasured and Collected by the Meng Family')

Sotheby's Hong Kong, 24th May 1978, lot 345.

Apart from a minute shallow flake of only 0.2 cm and a few scratches to the interior of the bowl, the overall condition is very good.
"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."

Chen Mingyuan was one of the leading and most versatile potters active during the late Kangxi (1662-1722) and Yongzheng (1723-35) periods and. Trained by his father Chen Ziqi, a distinguished 17^th century potter, he is best known for his scholar's articles through which he was able to achieve a particularly refined sense of realism. His vessels are best known for their thin bodies and fine craftsmanship while his inscriptions were said to be in the style of the Sui and Tang calligraphers. Other names he used include Hecun, Hefeng, Shixiashanren and Huyen.

Compare waterpots of various organic forms also impressed with the seal of Chen Mingyuan, such as one in the form of a lotus pod, illustrated in K.S. Lo, The Stonewares of Yizing from the Ming Period to the Present Day, London, 1986, pl. 143; one modelled after a bamboo shoot, included in the International Exhibition of Chinese Art, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1935, cat. no. 1883; and a miniature pumpkin-shaped example offered in these rooms, 24^th May 1978, lot 339.