Lot 3013. A fine and rare doucai 'floral' bowl, Yongzheng six-character mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1723-1735); 4 11/16 in. (11.8 cm.) diam.  Estimate HKD 700,000 - HKD 900,000. Price realised HKD 875,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2017

The bowl is finely enamelled and outlined in underglaze blue with a band of floral scroll on the exterior, and a single blossom surrounded by foliage in the centre of the interior. 

Note: A variety of doucai decorated bowls of this type with different flowers are known, such as the example from the collection of Brian S. McElney, included in the Min Chiu Society Thirtieth Anniversary Exhibition, Selected Treasures of Chinese Art, Hong Kong Museum of Art, 1990, illustrated in the Catalogue, no. 163; one in the Umezawa Kinenkan, Tokyo, illustrated in Toji Taikei, vol. 46, Japan, 1973, pl. 65; a pair from the Paul and Helen Bernat Collection, sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 15 November 1988, lot 15; and another single bowl, previously from the Elphinstone Collection, sold at Christie’s London, 15 June 1998, lot 162.