Lot 2121. A fine Imperial ruby-red ground famille rose bowl, Yongzheng four-character yuzhi mark within double squares and of the period (1723-1735); 3 5/8 in. (9.2 cm.) diam. Estimate HKD 1,300,000 - HKD 1,800,000. Price realised HKD 4,830,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2013

The bowl is finely enamelled around the rounded body with three large peony heads in blue, yellow and pink radiating upward from the base, surrounded by smaller flower heads in brilliant enamels, all reserved on a rich ruby-red ground of crushed raspberry-red tone. The interior and base are covered with a clear glaze, box. 

Property of the Yiqingge Collection.

Note: A similarly-decorated bowl of the same size is illustrated in Chinese Art and Design, The T.T. Tsui Gallery of Chinese Art, London, 1991, pl. 92; another bowl of the same size in the Victoria and Albert Museum is illustrated by R. Kerr, Chinese Ceramics, Porcelain of the Qing Dynasty, London, 1986, pl. 93; two other examples in the National Palace Museum, decorated with the four seasonal flowers, are illustrated in Fine Enamelled Porcelain of the Ch'ing Dynasty, Yung Cheng Period, CAFA, Book II, 1967, pls. 34 and 35. A further example from the T.Y. Chao Collection was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 1 December 2009, lot 1917.