A fine imperial yellow-glazed and incised saucer. Underglaze blue Yongzheng six-character mark and period. photo Nagel Auctions

This so-called 'imperial' yellow was used for monochrome dishes and bowls from the early Ming period onwards, but Ming examples are generally without incised decoration.

 A pair of Yongzheng dishes of this design and size is illustrated in Ireneus László Legeza, A Descriptive and Illustrated Catalogue of the Malcolm Macdonald Collection of Chinese Ceramics, London, 1972, pl.100, nos 271 and 272

Property from a South German private collection, bought in 1981 from Vanderveen in Maastricht

Good condition. D. 14,7 cm. Estimate 15 000 / 25 000 €

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