Lot 3008. A fine and rare blue and white 'floral medallion' bowl, Yongzheng six-character mark in underglaze blue within a double circle and of the period (1736-1795); 4 1/2 in. (11.4 cm.) diam. Estimate HKD 600,000 - HKD 800,000. Price realised HKD 875,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2017

The bowl is decorated to the exterior with four roundels of dense peony foliage, repeated on the centre of the interior encircled by a double band, box.

Note: The soft, pale-blue hues used to decorate the current bowl may reflect the deliberate attempt to imitate blue and white wares from the Chenghua period, which are known for their delicateness and refinement. Yongzheng bowls of this design were also made in another form, with shorter sides and recessed bases, such as the example sold at Christie’s London, 9 November 2004, lot 160; and another one sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 8 October 2010, lot 2774.

A fine blue and white floral medallion mantou bowl, Mark and period of Yongzheng; 13.3 cm., 5 1/4 in. Sold for 475,000 HKD at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 8 October 2010, lot 2774. Photo: Sotheby's. 

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 29 November 2017, Hong Kong