Lot 105. A fine and extremely rare blue and white conical 'rose' bowl, Ming dynasty, Yongle period (1403-1424); 20 cm, 7 7/8  in. Estimate 3,000,000 — 4,000,000 HKD (382,200 - 509,600 USD). Lot Sold 4,680,000 HKD (596,981 USD). Photo: Sotheby's.

superbly potted in conical form, the wide flaring sides rising from a straight foot, delicately painted in soft cobalt-blue tones with characteristic 'heaping and piling' effect, depicting flowering and budding roses borne on a leafy meander growing from above the foot, all divided by line borders.

Provenance: Collection of H. Fairtlough, Esq.
Sotheby's London, 28th May 1968, lot 167.
Bluett & Sons, London.
Sotheby's London, 14th March 1972, lot 133.
Hugh Moss Ltd, London

Note: This rare bowl represents the most exquisite type of ware produced in the imperial kilns during the Yongle reign. It is distinctive for its elegant shape and harmonious floral decoration which has been designed for a pure Chinese aesthetic.

Characterised by spiralled petals to the centre of each bloom, the floral scrolls portrayed on the present bowl can be identified as roses as opposed to more customary peonies or lotuses. Roses seldom feature as a decorative pattern in the repertoire of Chinese ceramics, but do appear occasionally on imperial Yongle porcelains including bowls and dishes of various sizes. See a barbed dish decorated with similar scrolling roses to the interior, sold in our New York rooms, 20th March 2018, lot 108. 

Sotheby's. Important Chinese Art from the Collection of Sir Quo-Wei Lee, Hong Kong, 03 oct. 2018, 10:10 AM