Lot 1923. A fine wucai 'dragon and phoenix' bowl, Qianlong six-character seal mark and of the period (1736-1795); 5 7/8 in. (15 cm.) diam. Estimate HKD 150,000 - HKD 200,000. Price Realized HKD 870,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2013

With deep rounded sides rising to an everted rim, the exterior is painted with two phoenixes descending between green and iron-red dragons pursuing 'flaming pearls' amidst flower sprigs, below a band of the Eight Buddhist Emblems alternating with ruyi heads joined by a blue line. The interior medallion is decorated with a further iron-red dragon reaching after a 'flaming pearl'.

Note: The decorative format of the present bowl is inspired by Kangxi prototypes. Compare to two Kangxi-marked examples of different sizes illustrated in Porcelains in Polychrome and Contrasting Colours, The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 1999, nos. 135-136. A Qianlong-marked example of similar size to the present example is also illustrated, ibid., no. 158. Another Qianlong example is in the Nanjing Museum, illustrated in Treasures in the Royalty: The Official Kiln Porcelain of the Chinese Qing Dynasty, Shanghai, 2003, p. 282.

Christie's. In Pursuit of Refinement - A Legacy of the YC Chen Collection, Hong Kong, 29 May 2013