A famille rose yellow-ground 'medallion' bowl, Jiaqing Seal Mark In Iron Red And Of The Period (1796-1820). Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2014

The bowl has deep, rounded sides that rise to a slightly flared rim and is decorated on the exterior with four medallions of 'antiques' surrounded by ruyi-linked foliate sprays on a lemon-yellow ground. A large medallion enclosing further 'antiques' is in the center of the interior below a band of green foliate scroll bearing alternating lotus and peony flowers in iron red. 7 in. (18 cm.) diam. Estimate $20,000 – $30,000

Notes: 'Medallion' bowls of this type were very popular in the Qianlong, Jiaqing, Daoguang and Xianfeng periods decorated either in plain enamel or sgraffiato grounds on various colored grounds. Jiaqing examples decorated with this particular combination of 'precious object' medallions on a yellow ground appear to be quite rare. A pair of Jiaqing bowls of this pattern was sold at Christie's New York, 19 September 2013, lot 1408. Examples in the Palace Museum, Beijing include a Daoguang-marked sgraffiato ruby ground example illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum - Porcelains with Cloisonne Enamel Decoration and Famille Rose Decoration,Hong Kong, 1999, p. 244, no. 216; and a Xianfeng-marked sgraffiato yellow ground example illustrated, ibid, p. 256, no. 227.

Christie's. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART. 20 - 21 March 2014, New York, Rockefeller Plaza - www.christies.com