明嘉靖 珊瑚紅地綠彩嬰戲方斗盌 《大明嘉靖年製》款

of square section, potted with deep rounded sides rising from a slightly tapered foot to a flared rim, the exterior painted in green and outlined in black with a continuous scene depicting eight boys cheerfully engaged in various pursuits in a garden landscape with verdant vegetation and rockwork, including flying a kite, sitting astride a toy hobby horse, the interior similarly painted with a square panel enclosing a smiling boy, the base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character reign mark, all reserved on a deep red ground

There are two hairlines of approx. 0.8 and 3.5 cm to the mouthrim. There are also some typical fritting and small bruises to the mouth and edges. The interior well has a small retouched patch of approx. 1 by 1.2 cm, as well as a small kiln grit. The enameling has some expected wear.
"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."

Bowls of this form and design are held in important private and museum collections worldwide; see one in the Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo included in the Museum’s exhibition Chinese Art of the Ming and Ch’ing Periods, Tokyo, 1963, cat. no. 337; one illustrated in Sekai toji zenshu/ Ceramic Art of the World, vol. 11, Tokyo, 1955, pl. 107 (bottom); another published in John Ayers, The Baur Collection. Chinese Ceramics, vol. 2, Geneva, 1969, pl. A162; and a fourth bowl, from the collection of E.H. North, included in the Oriental Ceramic Society exhibition The Arts of the Ming Dynasty, London, 1954, cat. no. 201. Two further bowls of this type were sold in our London rooms; the first, 10th June 1986, lot 253, and the second, included in the Exhibition of Ancient Chinese Ceramics from the Collection of the Kau Chi Society of Chinese Art, Art Gallery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1981, cat. no. 102, sold, 9th June 1987, lot 247.

Square bowls decorated with this motif of boys playing are also known painted in underglaze blue; compare a slightly smaller example sold in our New York rooms, 17th September 2003, lot 121.