A faux-bois and gilt bowl, Qianlong seal mark and period. Photo: Sotheby's. 

the shallow rounded sides rising to a slightly everted rim, the exterior carefully enameled in tones of iron-red and white in imitation of a swirling wood grain, the interior gilt, seal mark in underglaze blue. Diameter 4 5/8  in., 11.7 cm. Estimation 6,000 - 8,000 USD

Note: A Qianlong bowl of this form and decoration is illustrated in Ming Qing ciqi jianding, Hong Kong, 1993, pl. 149, where it is noted that these bowls were made in imitation of wooden bowls used by Tibetan lamas which were often lined in silver or silver-gilt. Compare three related bowls sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 5th October 2011, lot 2005,  9th October 2007, lot 1530, and 31st October 2004, lot 224; and a slightly larger example of slightly shallower form published in R.L. Hobson, The Eumorfopoulos Collection, vol. 5, London, 1927, pl. LXXI, no. E440

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art. New York | 17 sept. 2013 - http://www.sothebys.com