A rare massive blue and copper-red 'four-dragons' fish bowl, Kangxi. Photo courtesy Bonhams.

Vividly painted on the exterior with two front-facing four-clawed dragons in underglaze red, each springing from foaming waves in pursuit of a flaming pearl, alternating with two striding four-clawed dragons in underglaze blue also rising from waves to clutch at two more pearls, all amidst fire and cloud scrolls and beneath a band of classic scroll at the waisted rim. 54cm (21¼in) diam. Estimate £100,000 - 150,000 (€120,000 - 180,000). Unsold

The present lot is strikingly unusual for its dramatic contrasting of underglaze blue and red to create a particularly vibrant image of dragons pursuing the flaming pearl. Other examples of fish bowls from the Kangxi period separate the blue and red colours into different elements of the decoration, rather than painting them directly adjacent for a more vivid contrast. See for example a 'dragon' fish bowl primarily in underglaze red with minor details in blue illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Blue and White Porcelain with Underglazed Red (III), Hong Kong, 2000, no.190. Another related example with red dragons contrasting with blue rockwork was sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 23 October 2005, lot 342.

Compare also similar combinations of blue and red painting found on other porcelain from the Kangxi period, for example a meiping from the Shanghai Museum Collection illustrated by Wang Qingzheng, Underglaze Blue & Red, Hong Kong, 1987, no.120.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE ART. London, New Bond Street. 7 Nov 2013 - www.bonhams.com