Lot 26. A rare yellow-ground blue and white 'dragon' bowl, Yongzheng six-character mark and of the period. Estimate HK$700,000 - 900,000 (€85,000 - 110,000). Unsold. Photo: Bonhams.

With deep rounded sides flaring to a lipped rim, painted in cobalt blue on the exterior with two five-clawed dragons in mid-flight amidst flaming clouds, divided by two lingzhi bearing the characters shou and fu above a band of lotus petals, the interior further decorated with a circular medallion featuring a writhing dragon, all reserved above a rich egg-yolk yellow ground, fitted box. 18.5cm (7 1/4in) diam. (2).

Provenance: A Japanese private collection, by repute

Notes: The present bowl is in direct continuation of similar bowls made during the Kangxi period and the rarity of Yongzheng period bowls of this type suggests it was made early in the period. 

Compare a very similar bowl, Kangxi mark and period, in the Nanjing museum, illustrated in Treasures in the Royalty, The Official Kiln Porcelain of the Chinese Qing Dynasty, Shanghai, 2003, no.71. 

A pair of yellow-ground and blue and white 'dragon' bowls, Underglaze blue Yongzheng six-character mark within a double circles and of the period (1723-35). Price Realized £16,800 ($29,618). Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2005

A pair of very similar bowls, Yongzheng marks and period, was sold at Christie's London, 12 July 2005, lot 155.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 3 Dec 2015 11:00 HKT, HONG KONG, ADMIRALTY