A rare large aubergine-glazed barbed narcissus bowl , Impressed seal mark and period of Yongzheng. Photo: Sotheby's.

the shallow lobed sides divided into eight bracket foliations rising to a barbed everted rim, all supported on three low arched feet, the exterior walls picked out with small bosses resembling rivets, richly applied overall save for the underside of the feet with a deep glossy aubergine glaze of vibrant purple tone thinning to white along the rim edges, possibly imitating early lacquerware or Jun ware, the base impressed with a six-character seal mark beneath the glaze; 36.5 cm., 14 3/8  in. Estimation 1,200,000 — 1,500,000 HKD (117,682 - 147,102 EUR). 

Provenance: Collection formed before the 1930s in Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan.   

This piece is outstanding for its large size, of which few examples are known; see one covered in a Jun-type glaze sold in our London rooms, 7th June 1988, lot 341. Although these vessels are approximately a third larger than the more common smaller variety, the glossy deep-purple glaze, also an unusual yet striking feature, endows the piece with the elegance characteristic of Yongzheng period wares.  Yongzheng narcissus bowls of this form are known in a variety of Song-inspired glazes and with ruyi-head feet; for example, one created in imitation of Jun glaze, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, is included in Qingdai danseyou ciqi, Taipei, 1981, pl. 84; another from the Qing Court collection and still in Beijing, is illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Monochrome Porcelain, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 178; and a third bowl was sold in our London rooms, 7thJune 1988, lot 341.