A rare blue and white 'mantouxin' bowl mark and period of Xuande

well-potted with the characteristic 'mantouxin' bump on the base of the interior, painted in inky washes of cobalt blue with a four-pointed star in-filled with four interconnected trefoils, encircled by a thin floral scroll, and a band of interlinked trefoils enclosed within rounded petals, all below a band of classic scroll below the rim, opposite a lotus scroll band with pendant trefoils on the exterior, all above upright lotus petals skirting the foot, the six-character reign mark inscribed on the concave base

Apart from two 1cm hairline cracks on the rim and a slight warp to the rim of the bowl, the overall condition is quite good.
"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."

A similar bowl, in the Percival David Foundation, London, is illustrated in Margaret Medley, Illustrated Catalogue of Underglaze Blue and Copper Red, London, 1976, pl. C649; another is published in Toki zenshu, vol. 11, Tokyo, 1960, fig. 26; and a third example, from the Eumorfopoulos collection, was sold in our London rooms, 29th May 1940, lot 222.

Bowls of this form are knowns as a mantou xin (steamed bun centre) for its concave base. In their form they are related to Mamluk metal work from the Middle East which were generally incised with rich decoration. The present bowl is after the Yongle prototype; see one excavated from the Yongle stratum at Dongmentou, Zhushan in Jingdezhen, illustrated in Imperial Hongwu and Yongle Porcelain Excavated at Jingdezhen, Taipei, 1996, pl. 83; and another in the British Museum, London, illustrated in Jessica Harrison-Hall, Ming Ceramics, London, 2001, pl. 3:27.