A FINE CORAL-RED REVERSE-DECORATED 'BAMBOO' BOWL SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG

well potted with deep rounded sides resting on a short foot, delicately reverse-decorated around the exterior in rich iron red with shoots of leafy bamboo growing from above the foot, the interior left undecorated, the white base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character seal mark

There are very tiny short scratches to the coral-red ground in one area near the rim, otherwise the bowl is in overall very good condition.
"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, sold in these rooms, 19^th May 1982, lot 321, and now in the Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, was included in the Museum’s exhibition the Wonders of the Potter’s Palette, Hong Kong, 1984, cat. no. 77; another from the Paul and Helen Bernat collection was sold in these rooms, 15^th November 1988, lot 30; and a pair was sold in our London rooms, 16^th May 2012, lot 289.

 

A Jiaqing bowl of this type was included in the Oriental Ceramic Society exhibition Iron in the Fire, Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, 1988, cat. no. 99, where it is noted that ‘the iron-red enamel is extremely sensitive to thickness and such an even effect is a considerable technical achievement’