清道光 粉彩「皮球花」紋撇口盌 《大清道光年製》款

the rounded sides rising from a straight foot to an everted rim, finely decorated around the exterior with a profusion of multi-coloured 'flower-balls' arranged asymmetrically and scattered throughout, some freely floating, others overlapping in small clusters of two or three blooms, all carefully enamelled in soft pastels against a white ground, the base inscribed in iron-red with a six-character seal mark 

三十年代以前蒐集於日本京都府京都市

Apart from a few light scratches and surface wear on the interior, the bowl is in overall 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."

細白瓷面，上綴秀麗抽象皮球花圖紋，此類器物可歸功於雍正帝。雍正帝對日本藝術之喜愛，以及對御瓷風格的大膽求變，皆反映於如此新穎之圖紋。至乾隆之時，皮球花已屬宮廷御器紋飾之列，應用於各式材質，於官瓷，則可見鬪彩及粉彩作例。粉彩作例尤見討喜怡人，如現例所示，彷若早春嫩蕊，紛飛於新雪之上。

可相比較之道光作例，口沿更敞，底書「經笥堂製」礬紅款；如一例曾三度售於香港佳士得，1990年3月20日，編號808，1991年3月19日，編號610，及1992年9月29日，編號590。亦可參見南京博物院藏一類同青花綬帶皮球花瓶，載於《宮廷珍藏：中國清代官窰瓷器》，上海，2003年，頁392。雍正鬪彩作例，可見玫茵堂藏二件小盌，2011年4月7日於香港蘇富比售出，編號6。

層疊相蔽之皮球團花，可溯自日本，本乃圓形家族徽章，稱作「紋」，常見於織品、漆器、陶瓷及其他工藝品。