Lot 154. A blue and white bowl, Qianlong seal mark and of the period (1736-1795); 18.3cm (7 1/4in) diam. Estimate £ 10,000 - 15,000 (€ 11,000 - 17,000). © Bonhams. 

With deep rounded sides rising from a short foot to a gently flaring rim, the exterior painted with four ruyi-bordered roundels enclosing stylised characters reading Wanshou wujiang (Boundless long life), interspersed with lotus sprays supporting beribboned bajixiang, the rim with a classic scroll and the foot with a lappet band, the interior with a shou character medallion encircled by the bajixiang.

Provenance: According to family history, which is supported by family records illustrating the progress of British troops in Beijing at the time, this object was acquired by a military attaché posted to Beijing at the time of the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. He was attached to the staff of Brigadier-General A.Gaselee, the commander of the British contingent assisting in suppressing the Boxer Rebellion on behalf of the Imperial Court, as one of the Eight Allied Powers.

Note: Compare with a very similar pair of blue and white bowls, Qianlong seal mark and of the period, which were sold at Sotheby's London, 7 November 2012, lot 495.