Lot 2123. An unusual wucai 'Auspicious emblem' bowl, Kangxi-Yongzheng period (1662-1735); 3¾ in. (9.6 cm.) diam. Estimate USD 20,000 - USD 30,000. Price Realized USD 40,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2014. 

The bowl is delicately potted with shallow, rounded sides, and the convex center is decorated with a lotus spray beneath a ribbon-tied auspicious emblem, within a petal border below six of the bajixiang painted in pale blue outlined in iron red in the well. The exterior is decorated with four small sprays of cockscomb alternating with insects, all within double-line borders. The base is inscribed with an apocryphal Wanli mark, cloth box.

Provenance: J.M. Hu Collection.

Note: A pair of bowls of this rare pattern, also with Wanli marks, but dating to dating to the Kangxi/Yongzheng period, from the Gordon Collection, was sold at Christie's New York, 24 March 2011, lot 1140.

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