Lot 131. A fine famille rose ruby-sgraffiato-ground 'medallion' bowl, Daoguang seal mark and of the period (1821-1850); 14.7cm (5 3/4in) diam. Estimate £10,000 - 15,000. Sold for £ 37,562 (€ 42,874). © Bonhams 2001-2019

Finely enamelled around the exterior with four medallions depicting figures in landscapes representing the Four Seasons, one in grisaille, two in sepia, and one in famille rose enamels, all reserved on a ruby-red ground incised with feathery scrolls, the interior decorated in the centre with a stylised flower head with eight iron-red ruyi-tipped petals separated by blue leaves suspending pearls.

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.

Note: Compare with a related famille rose yellow-ground bowl, Daoguang seal mark and of the period, illustrated in Encompassing Precious Beauty: The Songzhutang Collection of Imperial Chinese Ceramics, Hong Kong, 2016, pp.220-221, no.86.

A similar ruby-ground famille rose graviata 'landscape' bowl, Daoguang seal mark and of the period, was sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 6 April 2016, lot 3641.