Lot 2122. A rare small Ming-style wucai 'ducks' bowl, Kangxi-Yongzheng period (1662-1735); 3 7/8 in. (9.8 cm.) high. Estimate USD 15,000 - USD 25,000. Price Realized USD 18,750. © Christie's Images Ltd 2014. 

The thickly potted, shallow bowl has rounded sides that rise to a flaring rim. The exterior is finely decorated in delicate shades of yellow, green, iron-red and underglaze-blue with four ducks swimming in a pond divided by lotus sprays and reeds, all above a band of lappets radiating from the foot. An apocryphal Jiajing mark is on the base, cloth box, wood stand.

Provenance: J.M. Hu Collection.

Note: The origin of this design can be traced to the Chenghua period, as evidenced by the Chenghua-marked dish decorated with a similar design on the exterior and interior, illustrated by Lu Minghua in Porcelain Wares from the Official Kilns of the Ming, Shanghai, 2007, p. 187, no. 3-126, where a Wanli mark-and-period example is also illustrated, p. 211, no. 4-11.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, New York, 20 - 21 March 2014