Lot 284. A rare kinrande gilt-decorated iron-red stem bowl, Jiajing four-character mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1522-1566); 5 7/8 in. (15 cm.) diam. Estimate USD 10,000 - USD 15,000. Price realised USD 8,750. © Christie's Images Ltd 2007

The bowl with deep sides rising to an everted rim, decorated on the exterior with continuous leafy meander bearing two lotus blossoms alternating with two long-tailed phoenixes, above a band of petal lappets, the spreading stem decorated with three flower motifs, all in gilding reserved on a deep iron-red ground, the four characters of the reign mark spaced evenly around the interior of the foot, Japanese wood box.

Provenance: Japanese private collection.

Note: A similar though slightly smaller Longquan celadon baluster vase, also carved with a leafy peony scroll, is illustrated in Celadons from Longquan Kilns, Taipei, 1998, p. 259, no. 244-1. 

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics, Jades and Works of Art, 19 September 2007, New York