明永樂 甜白釉暗花菊瓣盌

elegantly potted with deep rounded sides rising steeply from a slightly tapered foot, the exterior faintly incised with a row of elongated lotus petals between a band of key-fret at the rim and a 'classic' scroll encircling the foot, the interior finely decorated in anhua with alternating sprigs of chrysanthemum and camellia below a border of crested waves, applied overall with an even 'sweet white' tianbai glaze slightly tinged to a subtle light blue tone, the pointed base glazed and the footring left unglazed revealing a smooth white biscuit

Apart from a pin-prick burst air bubble on the outside with some associated discoloration under the glaze, some light wear and a grit on the interior, the bowl is in extremely 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."

此盌器形雅麗，妙飾暗花，細緻精巧。暗花多用於早明時期，於器身薄施瓷漿，上壓製圖紋，上復施釉。圖案隱約，往往僅現於執器向光時。如此創新裝飾手法，唯永樂一朝，製瓷高度發展之際，始可達成，而施作於白釉器上，即成釉面順滑、柔白且半透光之器。

Eumorfopoulos珍藏有一相類作例，1940年5月30日於倫敦蘇富比售出，編號312；另一例曾為 M.C. Wang、仇炎之及 Mathias Komor 收藏，2001年10月16日售於紐約佳士得，編號132；第三例於1997年11月5日香港蘇富比售出，編號1370。

此盌刻劃配合模印而成之圖紋，出自同朝之青花器，如 Eli Lilly 收藏之一作例，現藏印地安納波利斯美術館，展於《Ming Porcelains. A Retrospective》，China Institute in America，紐約，1971年，編號5。