Lot 153. A fine doucai 'shou' dish, Yongzheng mark and period (1723-1735). Diameter 8 ⅜ in., 21.2 cm. Estimate: 20,000 - 30,000 USD. Lot sold: 69,300 USD. Courtesy Sotheby's.

well potted with the shallow rounded sides raised on a slightly tapered foot, painted to the interior with a central medallion enclosing a shou character roundel surrounded by eight further shou characters and interlocking ruyi strapwork, the exterior similarly decorated with stylized shou characters between a band of C-scrolls and interlocking ruyi scrolls, the base with a six-character mark in underglaze blue.

Provenance: Collection of William Henry (1872-1961) and Katherine Bunnell (1880-1966) Gorrill, acquired in China in the 1930s-1940s, and thence by descent. 

Note: For other doucai dishes of this type from the Yongzheng period, see one sold three times at auctions, first at Christie's New York, 1st December 1987, lot 276, then in our Hong Kong rooms, 17th May 1988, lot 215, and later at Christie's Hong Kong, 2nd November 2004, lot 1111; and a smaller pair of saucer dishes sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 1st November 1986, lot 302.

Sotheby's. Important Chinese Art, New York, 17 march 2021