Lot 3109. A blue and white 'Floral' bowl, Ming Dynasty, Yongle period (1403-1424); diameter 17.4 cm, 6 7/8  in. Estimate 600,000 — 800,000 HKD. Lot sold 1,000,000 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's 2013.

finely potted with deep rounded sides rising from a straight foot to a gently everted rim, well painted overall in deep tones of cobalt accented with 'heaping and piling' effect, the interior with a central medallion of lotus among pointed trefoil leaves, enclosed by a composite scroll of lotus, peony, camellia, chrysanthemum and hibiscus encircling the cavetto and a band of florets at the rim, all divided by line borders, the exterior similarly decorated with a continuous scroll of lotus, pomegranate, magnolia, peony and pomegranate alternating with attendant buds and leaves, above a row of lappets and a 'classic' scroll encircling the foot, and below a border of key-fret at the rim, the glazed base left plain.

Provenance: Sotheby's Hong Kong, 31st October 1995, lot 366 

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. Hong Kong, 08 Oct 2013