Lot 28. A doucai 'Sanduo' bowl, Yongzheng six-character mark and of the period (1723-1735); 16.2cm (6 3/8in) diam. (2). Sold for HKD 784,200 (Estimate HKD 400,000 - HKD 600,000). © Bonhams 2001-2022

Well potted with deep rounded sides rising from a gently tapered foot to a flared rim, the exterior finely painted in bright enamels within an underglaze-blue outline, depicting three detached branches of flowering and fruiting sanduo including pomegranate, finger citron and lychee, the interior similarly adorned with a central medallion enclosing a single flowering branch of two succulent peaches, all within double-line borders, the base with the six-character reign mark within a double circle, box.

Provenance: An old Hong Kong private collection
The Chenyuezhai Collection.

Note: The present bowl is an outstanding example of the high technical standards and artistry gained on doucai porcelains from the Yongzheng reign. The graduated shades of pink, coral-red, yellow and green enamels were expertly used by craftsmen to render delicate shading within precise and subtle underglaze-blue outlines, making the design more aesthetically pleasing.

This lot also displays the Yongzheng Emperor's love of auspicious symbols, with the sprays of fruiting finger citron, lychee and pomegranate, representing a variation of the auspicious sanduo ('three abundances') motif, as harbingers of endless long life, an abundance of offspring and plentiful blessings. See a related Yongzheng mark and period sanduo bowl, illustrated by R. Krahl, Chinese Ceramics of the Meiyintang Collection, vol.4, London, 2010, no.1749; compare also to a closely related Yongzheng mark and period sanduo bowl, sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 8 October 2019, lot 3018.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, Hong Kong, 30 November 2022