- 30
A RARE WUCAI 'DRAGON AND PHOENIX' BOWL MARK AND PERIOD OF JIAJING
Estimate
1,200,000 - 1,500,000 HKD
Log in to view results
bidding is closed
Description
the steep rounded sides supported on a low foot brightly painted with a four-clawed dragon striding through colourful clouds, and a phoenix with a long serrated tail, separated by star-shaped clouds, the interior with a similar polychrome star motif in the centre, the base inscribed with a six-character reign mark in underglaze blue within a double circle
Provenance
Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Clark (died 1976).
Collection of R.H.R. Palmer (until 1962).
Sotheby's London, 27th November 1962, lot 40.
Estate of Neil F. Phillips, Esq. Q.C.
Christie's New York, 16th September 1999, lot 311.
Eskenazi Ltd, London.
Collection of R.H.R. Palmer (until 1962).
Sotheby's London, 27th November 1962, lot 40.
Estate of Neil F. Phillips, Esq. Q.C.
Christie's New York, 16th September 1999, lot 311.
Eskenazi Ltd, London.
Literature
Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, London, 1994-2010, vol. 4, no. 1701.
Condition
There is a 3 mm filled in frit to the mouth rim with a few minor enamel scratches and loss. There are a few tiny specks of kiln grit on the interior. There is a slightly polished shallow chip to the foot. Beside this 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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
The dragon-and-phoenix design in the wucai palette was perhaps the most popular pattern of the Wanli period (AD 1573-1620) and the present bowl would seem to be a classic late Ming artefact, but the style was still rare in the Jiajing reign (AD 1522-66). Comparable examples are hard to find and this bowl may be unique. The bowl is remarkable for its delicate painting manner, rarely found among wucai examples, where a much bolder handling of the brush is more characteristic; compare, for example, the dragon-and-phoenix design on the Wanli brush tray in this collection, lot 33.