A FINE LARGE CELADON-GLAZED BOWL WITH CARVED AND MOULDED PEONIES SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF YONGZHENG

sturdily potted with rounded sides rising from a tapering foot, the interior carved with a central medallion of a blooming peony, the cavetto similarly decorated with peony scrolls within a key-fret border along the rim, the exterior moulded with further peonies borne on leafy scrolls, all between a continuous band of swirling clouds and a key-fret border at the foot, covered overall with an unctuous celadon glaze, the countersunk base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character reign mark

Sotheby's Hong Kong, 28^th November 1978, lot 186.
Sotheby's Hong Kong, 20^th May 1981, lot 812.

The bowl is slightly warped. Apart from a small glaze frit of about 0.1 cm to the rim, some surface scratches and occasional iron spots, the overall condition is very 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 closely related example from the W.W. Winkworth collection, was sold in our London rooms, 12^th December 1972, lot 166; another was sold in these rooms, 11^th May 1983, lot 120; and a third was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 29^th May 2007, lot 1526. A smaller celadon-glazed bowl of this form and decoration, also with a Yongzheng reign mark and of the period, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, is illustrated in Qingdai yuyao ciqi, vol. 1, pt. II, Beijing, 2005, pl. 106.

The Yongzheng emperor's enthusiasm for ancient art objects and innovation is clearly displayed in the present bowl. The elegant scrolling flower motif is reminiscent of early 15^th century blue and white imperial porcelain, while the glaze has been made to imitate the celebrated 'Longquan' celadon wares. By combining the two together, the potter has succeeded in creating a contemporary yet elegant bowl suitable to the taste of its time. For a large Yongle basin of related form, decorated in cobalt with a similar peony scroll beneath a classic scroll border at the rim, see one from the collections of George Eumorfopoulos, of Sir David Home, Bt., and of the British Rail Pension Fund, sold in these rooms, 16^th May 1989, lot 15.