Lot 3103. An important and extremely rare iron-red decorated blue and white ‘Chrysanthemum scroll’ barbed-rim flower pot, Xuande six-character mark in underglaze blue in a horizontal line and of the period (1426-1435); 17 ¼ in. (44 cm.) diam. Estimate HKD 1,500,000 - HKD 2,500,000. Price realised HKD 1,500,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2019. 

The flower pot is sturdily potted with deep rounded sides supported on a stepped base simulating a stand, rising to an everted, bracket-lobed rim. The exterior is decorated in rich cobalt blue with a broad band featuring chrysanthemum blossoms borne on scrolling tendrils, above a band of classic scroll around the foot, the inner mouth rim with a row of detached florette sprays, all reserved against a rich iron-red ground. The interior is plain. The base is unglazed, with a cross-shaped firing mark left by the setter on which it was placed in the kiln, Japanese wood box.

Together with a watercolour depiction of the flower pot by the previous owner, Yakichiro Suma, painted in 1959. 

Provenance: Yakichiro Suma (1892 - 1970), a prominent Japanese diplomat in China from 1927 to 1937.

Literature: A watercolour depiction of the flower pot, painted by Yakichiro Suma, was illustrated on the front cover of Seien, Tokyo, November edition, 1959, with text description on p. 310

Note: This magnificent flower pot was formerly in the collection of Yakichiro Suma (1892 - 1970), and was passed down within his family until very recently. Yakichiro Suma served as a diplomat in China from 1927 to 1937, during which he acquired a substantial number of modern Chinese paintings and other works of art. An avid art collector, Mr. Suma was most enthralled by paintings by the Chinese master Qi Baishi, forming the core of his collection. Most of his Qi Baishi paintings were donated to the Kyoto National Museum. 

A watercolour depiction of the flower pot, painted by Mr. Suma in 1959, was illustrated on the front cover of Seien, a journal on socioeconomic and foreign policy published by Sibusawa Seien kinen zaidan ryumonsha. This hanging scroll, bearing Mr. Suma’s signature, reflected his high regard and personal intimacy towards this prized treasure. The original painting will be sold together with this lot. 

The flower pot was originally repaired with metal rivets, which have recently been masterfully removed and repaired by the respected restorer Mr. Koji Mayuyama.

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, 29 May 2019