Lot 56. A pair of blue-ground famille rose 'prunus' bowls and a pair of similarly-decorated 'prunus' saucers, xie zhu zhu ren zao seal marks in iron-red within squares and of the period (1821-1850). Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2016

Each bowl and saucer is brightly decorated with prunus flowers, set against a vibrant blue 'cracked-ice' ground. The mouth rims are highlighted in gilt. The bowls 3 ¾ in. (9.5 cm.) diam. Small saucers: both saucers have had restoration, one has been broken in several sections and re-stuck, the second with possible re-enamelling to the blue interior. The reverse of each saucer is speckled with kiln dust. The bowls: One has a crack extending max. approx. 4 cm from the mouth rim. The second bowl: With two cracks from the mouth rim (the longer curved crack max. approx. 5 cm long, the shorter max. approx. 2.5 cm long). This bowl also has two visible rim sections repaired, the largest measuring max. approx. 2.2 cm x 0.7 cm., the smaller section measures max. approx. 1.4 cm x 0.5 cm. The bowls and saucers have surface wear and scratches in keeping with their age.. Estimation: USD 5,000 - 7,000

Provenance: The collection of MD Otto Lundquist (1886-1950) and his brother the Envoyé Constans Lundquist (1891-1950).

Note: The hallmark xie zhu zhu ren zao may be translated as 'made by the Master of the Bamboo Studio'. Xie (cutting), is also the name of a valley in the Kunlun mountains. There, during the reign of the 'Yellow Emperor' Huangdi, it is said the first musical scale was made from varying lengths of cut bamboo.

An almost identical pair of bowls (without covers) from the same collection were sold at Christie's King Street, 10 November 2015, Lot 298.

Christie's on line. The Art of China.