Lot 523. A blue and white 'medallion' bowl, Wanli mark and period (1573-1619). Diameter 5 ½ in., 14 cm. Estimate 8,000 - 12,000 USD. Lot sold 10,710 USD. © Sotheby's 2020.

the shallow rounded sides rising from a short tapered foot to a gently flared rim, richly painted to the exterior in bright cobalt blue tones, with four roundels of pomegranate, camellia, peach and peony sprigs, divided by pairs of cloud motifs, the interior with a central medallion enclosing camellia sprigs, the base inscribed with a Wanli nianzhi yutang jiaqi (beautiful vessel for the jade hall) mark within a double circle. 

Note: Shallow bowls of this pattern with this mark are rare, although a closely related example from the collection of Daniel Lee was included in the exhibition The Fame of Flame. Imperial Wares of the Jiajing and Wanli Periods, University Museum and Art Gallery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 2009, cat. no. 73. See also a bowl with this mark, but painted with dragon roundels, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 4th April 2012, lot 3165. 

 Sotheby's. Important Chinese Art, Live Auction, 23 September 2020, New York