Porcelain Bowl “Fighting Dragons”, China, Yongzheng Six-character mark on the underside in underglaze blue and period (1723-1735). Photo Auctionata - Berlin

Hand-painted porcelain with imperial yellow and green glaze. Incised dragon décor. Diameter: 8.7 cm. Height: 5.5 cm. Very good condition

Provenance: Private Collection, Denmark

This small, calyx-shaped imperial-yellow porcelain bowl, which is flared towards the top and is formed with an accentuated foot rim, dates back to the Yongzheng Period (1723-1735). It is lavishly decorated with an incised and in green enamel-colour glazed design of four-clawed dragons fighting over the flaming pearl and with foliage and ornamental clouds.
The dragon (long) stands in the Chinese culture for authority and good fortune. It is traditionally chasing the flaming pearl of wisdom and truth. At the lower inside of the small bowl is another symbol in form of a Chinese character shown. Framed by a green ring, the character shòu ( ) promises a long life. Underneath, the small porcelain bowl is inscribed with the six-character mark of the Yongzheng Period (1723-1735) in underglaze blue.

The small porcelain bowl is in very good condition with usual traces of age and wear. It shows a minimal inclusion of around 0.5 cm in diameter next to the character.
The diameter of the porcelain bowl is 8.7 cm, the height 5.5 cm.

Auctionata - Berlin. Vendredi 18 octobre 2013. Franklinstrasse 13, 10587 Berlin. Contact: Victoria Mäder-Duhn (vma@auctionata.com)