A fine Imperial Clair-de-lune bowl. Underglaze blue six-character seal mark and period of Qianlong. photo Nagel Auctions

With rounded sides moulded on the exterior with raised double band beneath the widely flared rim, covered inside and out and at the base in a very pale blue glaze.

Provenance: Possibly Sotheby's Hong Kong, 18.5.1982, Lot 288 (one of a pair), former collection Dr. Hugh Shire (Oxford d. 21.5.1976) see TOCS Vol. 41, p. XXVIII, collector's labe to base

Dishes of this type were sometimes made as the tray to a small jardinière or flower pot.

For an illustration of such a flower pot and tray, covered in a red glaze, and dated Yongzheng, see Catalogue of the Special Exhibition of K'ang-Hsi, Yung-Cheng and Ch'ien-Lung Porcelain Ware from the Ch'ing Dynasty in the Palace Museum, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1986, p. 72, no. 35

Good condition. D. 18,1 cm. Estimate 60 000 / 70 000 €

Nagel Auctions. Asian Art. November 3rd 2011. www.auction.de