A famille rose blue-ground medallion bowl, Daoguang seal mark and of the period. Photo Bonhams.

The exterior carefully enamelled with four gilt-edged medallions, one containing an image of the Cowherd riding a buffalo opposite another medallion containing the Weaver Girl amid flying birds and cloud scrolls, the remaining two medallions with scholarly scenes, all separated by cloud scrolls on a delicate blue sgraffiato ground, the interior brightly painted with the Weaver Girl greeting the Cowherd in the well, encircled by cloud scrolls and birds in flight. 14.6cm (5 3/4in) diam. Estimate £12,000 - 18,000 (€15,000 - 22,000)

Provenance: a distinguished European private collection

The present bowl celebrates the Qixi Festival, also known as Magpie Festival, which falls on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month on the lunar calendar. Chinese tradition tells the story of a young cowherd known as Niulang who falls in love with a beautiful girl called Zhinü, the seventh daughter of the Goddess, whose task was to weave colourful clouds. The Goddess was furious at their attachment and scratched a wide river in the sky with her hairpin to separate the two lovers forever, thus forming the Milky Way. However once a year all the magpies in the world fly up into heaven to form a bridge so that the lovers may be together for a single night.

For very similar examples, see The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Porcelains with Cloisonné Enamel Decoration and Famille Rose Decoration, Hong Kong, 1999, no.215, another from the Weishaupt Collection is illustrated by G.Avitabile, Vom Schatz der Drachen, London, 1987, p.43, no.40.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE ART. London, New Bond Street, 15 May 2014 - www.bonhams.com