Lot 227. A rare blue and white 'lotus and fish' bowl, Chenghua-Hongzhi (1464-1505); 21.6cm (8 1/2in) diam. Estimate £ 5,000 - 8,000 (€ 5,700 - 9,100). Unsold. © Bonhams 2001-2018

With deep rounded sides rising to a gently everted rim, the exterior boldly painted in shades of cobalt blue with six large blossoming lotus amidst an undulating meander, the interior with four fish separated by floral sprigs above foaming and crashing waves, the well with a swimming carp amidst billowing clouds.

Provenance: Sotheby's London, 28 November 1972, lot 167
An English private collection, and thence by descent

Note: Compare with a dish decorated with a similar design, mid Chenghua period, illustrated in A Legacy of Chenghua: Imperial Porcelain of the Chenghua Reign Excavated from Zhushan, Jingdezhen, Hong Kong, 1993, pp.150-151, no.B31.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE ART, 17 May 2018, 10:30 BST, LONDON, NEW BOND STREET