Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, New York, 19 - 20 September 2013
A very rare copper red-splashed celadon-glazed 'lingzhi' ink palette, Qianlong seal mark in underglaze blue and of the period
Lot 1339. A very rare copper red-splashed celadon-glazed 'lingzhi' ink palette, Qianlong seal mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1736-1795); 9½ in. (24.3 cm.) wide. Estimate USD 50,000 - USD 70,000. Price realised USD 62,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2013.
The gently lobed palette is potted with shallow ribbed sides rising around the flattened recessed palette to form the rim in the form of a lingzhi fungus. A second, smaller lingzhi stem rises from between the scrolling sides of the washer. The raised areas are accented with bright copper-red splashes, carved wood stand.
Note: Compare the Qianlong peach-form brush washer, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum - 37 - Monochrome Porcelain, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 217. The Palace peach-form washer shares a similar configuration of a large fruit forming the well, with branches bearing smaller fruit growing to the side.