Lot 254. A fine and rare lacquer-imitation bowl, Qianlong Seal Mark and Period (1736-1795); diameter 5 in., 12.6 cm. Estimate 70,000 - 90,000 USD. Lot sold 362,500 USD. Photo Sotheby's 2010

the rounded sides supported by a short straight foot rising to an everted rim, the exterior finely painted with two butterflies melons and flowers on leafy scrolling vines enameled in red with details picked out in gilt, all reserved on a glossy black ground the rim decorated with a thick gold border, the base inscribed with a six-character seal mark in gilding.

Note: Several pieces of porcelain imitating carved cinnabar lacquer are known. However, it is much rarer to find a porcelain vessel with a design that imitates painted lacquer such as the present bowl and no related example appears to have been published. The present bowl is decorated to simulate a sumptuous lacquer design painted in gold and red on a mirror-black ground which can be found on lacquerware of the late 17th and 18th centuries. Compare, for example, a small silver bowl with a similar painted lacquer design, published in Lacquer Treasures from China Pre-Qin - Qing dynasty, Vol. 6, Fujian, 1993, pl. 142. For a small Yixing teapot with a similar painted design on a black ground, compare ibid., pl. 141.

Sotheby's. Fine Ceramics and works of Art. 15 Sept 2010. New York