A very rare imperial blue and white Dragon Bowl. Yongzheng six-character Mark in underglaze blue within a double circle and of the period. photo Nagel Auctions

The deep sides rising towards a flared rim, well painted in the early Ming style on the exterior with four five-clawed dragons reserved against a ground of incised, foam-capped waves, two of the dragons facing forward, the alternating two with head and fore-body swiveled backwards, the interior with a similar central medaillion of a winged dragon, raised on a flared foot encircled by classic scroll, all within double line borders.

The only other (repaired) bowl of this type known to us was sold at Christie's New York, 19.9.1996, Lot 282

The size and shape of this bowl, as well as the painting of the dragons appears to be based on Ming Xuande-marked examples. For comparison, see two blue and white Xuande-marked bowls in the Percival David Foundation, London, illustrated in Oriental Ceramics, The World's Great Collections, vol. 6, Tokyo, 1975, nos. 97 and 102, which illustrate these points

Fine condition. D. 24,6 cm. Estimate 200 000 / 300 000 €

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