A green, yellow and aubergine 'lion and phoenix' bowl, 17th century

The interior finely and densely incised and painted in green and aubergine with a pair of phoenix amidst scrolling lotus flowers and tendrils, the exterior similarly decorated with three Buddhist lions, all against a rich yellow ground. 14.8cm (5¾in) diam. Sold for £5,400

Provenance: R.H.R.Palmer.
Probably Palmer Inventory no.395, where it is stated that a 'Porcelain shallow bowl enamelled on the biscuit with phoenix and peony scrolls in green aubergine on a yellow ground. Chenghua mark. Ming Dynasty' was purchased in November 1935 for £75.

Bonhams. Fine Chinese Art, 14 May 2009. New Bond Street www.bonhams.com