Lot 3613
  • 3613

A LARGE CELADON-GLAZED MOULDED AND CARVED 'HERBACEOUS PEONY' BOWL SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG |

Estimate
500,000 - 700,000 HKD
bidding is closed

Description

  • 26.5 cm, 10 1/2  in.
sturdily potted with rounded sides rising from a tapering foot, the interior carved with a central medallion of a blooming herbaceous peony, the cavetto similarly decorated with herbaceous peony scrolls within a key-fret border along the rim, the exterior moulded with further blooms issuing from a leafy scroll, all between a continuous band of swirling clouds and a key-fret border at the foot, covered overall with an unctuous celadon glaze, the base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character reign mark

Provenance

Christie's Hong Kong, 29th May 2013, lot 2285.

Condition

The rim has been lightly polished, possibly to conceal the shallow glaze flakes. The bowl is otherwise in good overall condition with expected light surface wear and a minor polished kiln grit to the interior.
"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

Three closely related bowls were sold in these rooms, the first, 21st May 1979, lot 121, the second, 20th May 1981, lot 807, and the third, 7th May 2002, lot 600; two bowls were sold in our London rooms, 7th December 1993, lot 273, and 5th November 2014, lot 10, respectively; and a further example was sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 1st June 2011, lot 3710. Large celadon-glazed bowls of this design first appeared in the Yongzheng period, when many decorative methods and traditional motifs were revived and perfected. For the Yongzheng prototype, see one, sold three times in these rooms, 28th November 1978, lot 186, 20th May 1981, lot 812, and 8th April 2011, lot 3007; and a smaller example, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, included in Qingdai yuyao ciqi [Porcelains from the Qing dynasty imperial kilns in the Palace Museum collection], vol. 1, pt. 2, Beijing, 2005, pl. 106. 

The elegant scrolling flower motif is reminiscent of early 15th-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. See a large Yongle basin of related form, decorated in cobalt with a similar floral scroll beneath a classic scroll border at the rim, from the collections of George Eumorfopoulos, Sir David Home, Bt., and the British Rail Pension Fund, sold in these rooms, 16th May 1989, lot 15.