A RED AND GREEN-ENAMELED 'BOYS' SQUARE BOWL JIAJING MARK AND PERIOD |

of square section, potted with deep rounded sides rising from a tapered foot to a flared rim, the exterior painted in green outlined in black with a continuous scene depicting eight boys cheerfully engaged in various pursuits in a garden landscape with verdant vegetation and rockwork, including flying a kite, sitting astride a hobby horse, all framed by narrow green-enameled borders at the rim and foot, the interior similarly decorated and centered with a square panel enclosing a pine tree twisted to form a shou character, with lingzhi growing beneath, the with a six-character mark in underglaze blue, all reserved on a deep iron-red ground

Japanese Private Collection (by repute). 

In overall good condition with some expected wear and minor firing imperfections, consistent with age and type.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The playful scene adorning this square bowl illustrates the artistic vitality characteristic of porcelain designs of the Jiajing period (r. 1522-1566). Painted in red and green enamels of children at play, symbolic of the Confucian ideal for the education and advancement of many sons, this decorative theme was especially prolific during this period in response to the emperor’s desire for many sons. Another meaning of this motif is suggested by Rosemary E. Scott in Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art, London, 1989, p.80, where the author notes that scenes of boys at play may be linked to the Daoist theme of the old regaining their youth. As the Jiajing emperor was a devout Daoist and sought to find the elixir of immortality throughout his life, decoration influenced by Daoist iconography was prevalent at court.  

Closely related bowls are held in important private and museum collections worldwide; see one in the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, Dresden, included in the Museum’s exhibition, Chinesisches Porzellan der Mingdynastie. 14. bis 17. Jahrhundert, 1987, cat. no. 27; one from the Baur Collection, published in John Ayers, Chinese Ceramics in The Baur Collection, vol. 1, Geneva, 1999, pl. 87; and a third bowl, from the S.C. Ko Tianminlou Collection, included in the exhibition Chinese Porcelain. The S. C. Ko Tianminlou Collection, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1987, pl. 71. See also a bowl of this type illustrated in Sekai toji zenshu/ Ceramic Art of the World, vol. 11, Tokyo, 1955, pl. 107 (bottom); and two further examples sold in our London rooms, one, included in the Exhibition of Ancient Chinese Ceramics from The Collection of The Kau Chi Society of Chinese Art, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1981, cat. no. 102,  sold, 9th June 1987, lot 247, and the other, 10th June 1986, lot 253.