A fine pair of blue and white 'Floral Scrolls' bowls, Marks and period of Yongzheng. Photo: Sotheby's

each finely potted with rounded sides raised on a small foot, the exterior densely decorated in washes of cobalt blue with Indian lotus flowers borne on a continuous meandering leafy scroll, all above a band of 'classic' scroll encircling the foot, the interior similarly painted with a central medallion of a lotus within double circles, the recessed base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character reign mark; 11.7 cm., 4 5/8 in. Estimate 700,000 — 900,000 HKD

Provenance: Christie's Hong Kong, 1st December 2009, lot 1891.

Note The fine feathery lotus scroll painted on the present pair of bowls reflects the innovative developments achieved at Jingdezhen in Jiangxi province during the Yongzheng reign. By cleverly echoing a Western scroll motif in the traditional Chinese lotus pattern, the Chinese craftsmen created an attractive contemporary design. A closely related pair of bowls was sold in these rooms, 31st October 2004, lot 180. Compare a smaller pair of cups with a simplified version of this design, sold in our London rooms, 9th November 2005, lot 317.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. Hong Kong | 08 Apr 2014 -www.sothebys.com