Lot 250. A fine pair of incised yellow-glazed 'Floral' bowls, Kangxi marks and period (1662-1722); 12cm., 4 3/4 in. Estimate 40,000 - 60,000 GBP. Lot sold 61,250 GBP. Photo Sotheby's

each with deep rounded sides supported on a straight foot, incised to the exterior with four floral medallions alternating with radiating cloud wisps above a lappet band, the interior with a further floral medallion, encircled at the foot and the rim with double line borders, covered overall with a rich egg-yolk yellow glaze, the white base inscribed with a six-character Kangxi mark within a double-circle. 

Provenance: Collection of Emily Trevor, New York.
Collection of John B. Trevor, Jr., Palm Beach.
Christie's New York, 19th September 2007, lot 352.
Marchant, London. 

Note: Kangxi yellow-glazed bowls of this form and decoration are rare, although a similar example, formerly in the Elphinstone collection, and later part of the Sir Percival David collection, in the British Museum, is illustrated in Margaret Medley, Illustrated Catalogue of Ming and Ch’ing Monochromes, London, 1973, cat. no. A599; and another from the Kostolany collection was included in the Oriental Ceramics Society exhibition Monochrome Porcelain of the Ming and Manchu Dynasties, London, 1948, cat. no. 188.

Compare also a bowl sold in our New York rooms, 21st September 2005, lot 117; one sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 30th April 1996, lot 391; a third example sold at Christie’s London, 10th June 1996, lot 119; and the bowl in this catalogue, lot 398.

Bowls of this type continued to be made during the Qianlong and Daoguang periods; for example see a Qianlong bowl of the same shape, size and decoration, from the Jingguantang collection, sold at Christie’s New York, 18th September 1997, lot 161; and a Daoguang mark and period bowl included in the exhibition Qing Mark and Period Monochromes and Enamelled Wares, S. Marchant and Son, London, 1981, cat. no. 16. 

Yellow-glazed Kangxi mark and period bowls of this form and size were also decorated with dragons; for example see a bowl sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 10th April 2006, lot 1613; and a pair sold in our New York rooms, 3rd June 1992, lot 219. 

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, London, 07 november 2012