A FINE RARE DOUCAI 'BIRD AND MAGNOLIA' BOWL SEMI-SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF YONGZHENG

finely potted with rounded sides raised on a slightly tapered foot, painted on the exterior with a bird perching on a flowering magnolia tree, a double blooming peony branch and rockwork to one side, the reverse with a rock and a bird diving for a magnolia blossom, the countersunk base inscribed with a six-character reign mark in unusual semi-seal script

The overall condition is very good except for a small burst air bubble of 1 mm to the interior of the mouthrim.
"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 unusual Yongzheng reign mark is found on a doucai dish painted with a galloping horse across the sea, from the British Rail Pension Fund, sold in these rooms, 16^th May 1989, lot 65, and illustrated in James Spencer, Chinese Ceramics from Han to Qing Dynasties, Taipei, 1980, pl. 140.

In its composition and subject, the present bowl can be compared to flared bowls with covers of slightly larger dimensions, decorated with swallows amongst flowering prunus branches and hibiscus, such as one from the Qing Court collection and still in Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Porcelains in Polychrome and Contrasting Colours, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 223; and another from the Jingguantang collection, sold three times and most recently at Christie's Hong Kong, 1^st December 2009, lot 1918.