清康熙晚期 五彩描金西王母慶壽圖盌

delicately potted, the shallow rounded sides rising from a straight foot to a slightly lipped rim, intricately enameled around the exterior with a procession of Daoist Immortals and their attendants, with Xiwangmu atop a crane supporting a double-gourd from which emanates a long thin stream of vapor and five bats, the attendants bearing baskets of peaches and lingzhi, with butterflies amidst scattered floral stems and leaves encircling the foot, the interior boldly enameled with a large peach borne on a leafy stem centered by a gilt shou character, wood stand (2)

Thomas B. Clarke，紐約，1897年12月21日
美國私人收藏，此後家族傳承

In good condition, with the exception of a small rim chip restored, measuring approximately 0.4 cm across. Several scattered scratches to the interior. Otherwise in excellent condition. Minor wear to foot, old label adhered to the base.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The present bowl appears to be unique, and no other bowl of this design appears to be published. Two related bowls of the same large size, similarly unmarked, depicting a procession of female immortals, and with the same decoration to the foot and interior, are in the Percival David Collection in the British Museum, London (PDF 859 and 863). Both bowls were formerly in the collection of Alfred E. Hippisley and were sold at the American Art Association auction of his collection, New York, 24th November 1934, see Illustrated Catalogue of Ch'ing Enamelled Ware in the Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art, London, 1973, pls 859, 863 and front cover.

A small number of other bowls similarly enameled with processions of Immortals are known, with variations in the design, palette and inclusion of a reign mark. A bowl formerly in the collection of Paul and Helen Bernat, painted in famille-verte enamels, with the addition of underglaze-blue, inscribed with a Chenghua mark, was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 25th October 1993, lot 735. See also a pair of Kangxi mark and period bowls formerly in the collection of Captain C. Oswald Liddell, painted with a procession of male and female Immortals, sold at Sotheby's London, 13th December 1977, lot 529.