Lot 19. A rare pair of Imperial doucai 'chrysanthemum' saucer-dishes, Yongzheng six-character marks and of the period (1723-1735); 11.4cm (4 3/8in) diam. Estimate HK$ 600,000 - 800,000 (€65,000 - 86,000). Unsold.  Photo: Bonhams.

Each interior exquisitely enamelled in contrasting tones of iron-red and yellow with a medallion of two chrysanthemum surrounded by undulating foliate scrolls in translucent green enamels, further encircled by four lotus sprays borne on leafy tendrils, all fluently outlined in clear underglaze blue and framed by a double-line border repeated at the rim, the exterior similarly decorated with five chrysanthemum roundels alternating with lotus scrolls, box.   

Provenance: A Hong Kong private collection, acquired during the 1980s, by repute
A distinguished Asian private collection

Note: The present pair of chrysanthemum dishes displays a mastery of the doucai technique, successfully rendered with the use of brightly coloured enamels of iron-red and yellow, together with soft tones of green enamel within underglaze blue outlines, providing a visually appealing refined contrast, in accordance with the Yongzheng Emperor's discerning aesthetic taste. 

The design on the pair of dishes was inspired by Imperial ceramics made during the Chenghua period, particularly in the medallion scheme enclosing a double foliate chrysanthemum blossom, flanked by foliate lotus sprays; compare a doucai'chrysanthemum and butterfly' decorated jar and cover, Chenghua mark and period, from the Qing Court Collection, illustrated in The Complete Collection of the treasures of the Palace Museum: Porcelains in Polychrome and Contrasting Colours, Shanghai, 2007, no.166; see also a Chenghua-period bowl illustrated in A Legacy of Chenghua: Imperial Porcelain of the Chenghua Reign Excavated from Zhushan, Jingdezhen, Hong Kong, 1993, pl.C119.  

A very similar doucai dish of identical design, Yongzheng mark and period, but slightly smaller, was sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 6 April 2016, lot 3623. A similar design of double chrysanthemum blossoms also adorned jars and covers; see a related pair of similarly decorated doucai jars and covers, Yongzheng marks and period, which was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 27 November 2013, lot 3209.

A fine doucai 'chrysanthemum' dish, mark and period of Yongzheng (1723-1735); 10.1 cm, 4 3/8  in. Sold for 562,500 HKD at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 6 April 2016, lot 3623. Photo: Sotheby's.

A fine pair of doucai jars and covers, Qianlong six-character seal marks and of the period (1736-1795). Sold for 6,040,000 HKD at Christie's Hong Kong, 27 November 2013, lot 3209. © Christie's Images Ltd 2013.

A related design, but with the medallion enclosing three blossoms, was also used on cups and bowls; see a pair of doucai 'chrysanthemum' bowls, Yongzheng marks and period, illustrated in Chinese Porcelain: The S.C. Ko Tianminlou Collection, Hong Kong, 1987, p.142, pl.100; and a pair of bowls which was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 2 December 2015, lot 3120; and see also a cup which was sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 8 April 2013, lot 3195.

A rare pair of doucai ‘chrysanthemum medallion’ bowls, Yongzheng six-character marks in underglaze blue within double squares and of the period (1723-1735). Sold for HK$5,920,000 ($767,445) at Christie's Hong Kong, 2 December 2015, lot 3120. © Christie's Image Ltd 2015

Cf. my post: A rare pair of doucai ‘chrysanthemum medallion’ bowls, Yongzheng six-character marks and of the period

A fine doucai 'Floral' winecup, mark and period of Yongzheng (1723-1735); 7.3 cm., 2 7/8  in. Sold for 3,400,000 HKD at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 6 April 2016, lot 3623. Photo: Sotheby's.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 28 Nov 2017, 14:00 HKT, HONG KONG, ADMIRALTY