A small copper red-glazed bowl, Qianlong six-character seal mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1736-1795). Estimate £3,000 – £5,000 ($4,572 - $7,620). Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2015

The bowl is covered to the exterior with a slightly mottled copper red glaze, thinning to an even white line at the mouth and foot rims. The interior and base are glazed white. 4 7/8 in. (12.5 cm.) diam.

Provenance: The Collection of Baron Léon (1866-1932) de la maire Warzée Hermalle, and his wife Dorothy Davis.
Then by descent to the current owner.

Note: The distinguished Belgian diplomat Baron Léon le Maire de Warzée d'Hermalle (1866-1932), Minister Plenipotentiary of Belgium, and his wife Dorothy Davis, in the 1920s in China: Baron Léon le Maire de Warzée d'Hermalle served as the Belgian Ambassador in Beijing from 1924 to his death in 1932.

Christie's. CHINESE CERAMICS, WORKS OF ART AND TEXTILES, 15 May 2015, London, South Kensington