A moulded white-glazed bowl, lianziwan. Qianlong seal mark and of the period. Photo Bonhams

With a narrow spreading foot supporting the steeply-rounded sides, decorated on the exterior with deeply-moulded lotus petals at the base and an incised key-fret pattern at the rim, all covered with a pale glaze tinged slightly blue, the seal mark in underglaze blue on the pointed base. 19.3cm (7 5/8in) diam. Estimate: £20,000 - 30,000, CNY 200,000 - 300,000, HK$ 240,000 - 360,000

Provenance: Christie's London, 8 June 2004, lot 445
The Inder Rieden Collection

The present bowl is inspired by early 15th century bowls in form and decoration: for an early 15th century bowl with upright lappets and key-fret design, see J.Ayers, Far Eastern Ceramics in the Victoria and Albert  Museum, London, 1980, Catalogue no.144.

Bonhams. Fine Chinese Art, 10 Nov 2011, New Bond Street www.bonhams.com