A rare Imperial copper-red 'three fish' bowl. China. Underglaze blue six-character mark and period of Yongzheng.. photo Nagel Auctions

Of well potted flared form standing on a slightly tapering foot of rounded section, the exterior decorated in copper-red of deep mushroom pink colour with three fish, the interior undecorated. Good condition. D. 15,2 cm.. Estimate 35 000 / 50 000 €

Similar bowls are illustrated in Sekai Toji Zenshu, vol. 12, fig. 55 an in the Min Ch'iu Society, Hong Kong, Exhibition of Ch'ing Dynasty Porcelain, 1968, Catalogue no. 131 

A Yongzheng bowl of this design and size was included in the exhibition The Wonders of the Potter's Palette, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1984, cat. no. 42; and a pair of slightly smaller bowls, in the Shanghai Museum, was included in the exhibition Selected Ceramics from the Collection of Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Hu, Shanghai, 1989, cat. no. 43, together with a larger bowl of flared shape, ibid., cat. no. 44.

A pair of similar bowls was sold Sotheby's Hongkong, 5th November 1997, lot 1373, and another, 8th November 1982, lot 172 

Nagel Auctions. Asian Art. November 3rd 2011. www.auction.de