A RARE PAIR OF CARVED GREEN-GLAZED 'NARCISSUS' BOWLS SEAL MARKS AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG

each well potted with shallow rounded sides rising from four short tapering feet to an everted flat mouthrim, the exterior elaborately relief-decorated with floral blooms borne on an undulating leafy stem, all above thin stylised tendrils on each foot, the base impressed with a six-character seal mark, thickly covered overall with a bright green glaze

Collection of Dr. Robert Kemper.

The overall condition of the pair is quite good, except for some scratches especially to the interior wells and expected wear to the tips of the feet. There are also some typical minute pinholes and burst air bubbles to the feet. The bowls are of a soft apple green tone, slightly more yellowish than the catalogue illustration.
"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 green-glazed relief-decorated narcissus bowls represents a new porcelain style that was developed in the early 18th century. While coloured low-fired glazes on a high-fired biscuit body were common, it was unusual to apply pastel-coloured glazes mixed with white enamel as seen on the present piece. The opaque quality of the green glaze is reminiscent of semi-precious stones such as malachite, and the relief design contributes further to the effect of the bowls being carved from stone.

This technique and green-coloured glaze is seen on a variety of Qianlong mark and period vessels; see a gu beaker vase decorated with the baijixiang amongst lotus scrolls in relief, sold in our New York rooms, 21st/22nd September 2005, lot 123; a hat stand included in the exhibition Qingdai danse you ciqi tezhen [Special exhibition of monochrome glazed porcelain of the Qing dynasty], National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1981, cat. no. 48; and a lantern vase carved with dragons amidst waves, included in the exhibition In Pursuit of Antiquities. Min Chiu Society 40th Anniversary Exhibition, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 2001, cat. no. 187.

Similar designs of lotus scrolls in relief can be found on vases of other pastel-coloured glazes. See, for example, a pair of pomegranate-shaped vases covered in a turquoise glaze, with Qianlong seal marks and of the period, from the J.M. Hu collection, sold in these rooms, 9th October 2012, lot 112; and a turquoise-glazed brushwasher, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, included in the Museum’s exhibition op. cit., cat. no. 49.

Dr. Robert Kemper founded the Asian department at the Cincinnati Art Museum in 1946. Upon his retirement, he donated his whole collection as a gift to the Museum save for this pair of bowls, which he bequeathed to his daughter.