清嘉慶 粉彩百子盌一對 《大清嘉慶年製》款

each with rounded sides rising from a straight foot to a slightly flared rim, the exterior delicately painted in bright enamels with a continuous scene of boys in a fenced garden with a small bridge spanning a stream, playing with fire crackers, lanterns and presenting peaches in a procession, with further boys watching from windows above, the recessed base inscribed with a seal mark in iron red

倫敦蘇富比2009年11月4日，編號201

The pair is in overall very good condition. The enamels have characteristic crizzling but otherwise generally very well preserved.
"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 pair of bowls is impressive for its lively and fine depiction of boys engaged in different games. The ‘hundred boys at play’ was a popular theme in the decorative arts of the Ming and Qing dynasty, which refers to King Wen of the Zhou dynasty who had ninety-nine sons and adopted one more to make one hundred. The boys are illustrated engaged in activities potent with symbolism: for example the first character of ‘lantern’ is a pun for bumper harvest (fengdeng), which equates with peace, while boys carrying peaches and playing with bats are representative of longevity.

A Jiaqing mark and period bowl painted with this motif, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, was included in Illustrated Catalogue of Ch’ing Dynasty Porcelain in the National Palace Museum, Tokyo, 1981, vol. II, pl. 101; another was sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 26th April 2004, lot 1077; a slightly smaller one was sold in these rooms, 24th November 1987, lot 179; and a fourth example was sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 1st May 1995, lot 680. See also a slightly larger example sold in these rooms, 9th November 1982, lo 292. Bowls painted with this theme appear to have been modelled after Qianlong period originals, such as a bowl with Qianlong mark and of the period, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 2nd November 1999, lot 552.