Lot 37. A large blue-glazed bowl, Incised Wanli six-character mark and of the period (1573-1620); 30.5cm (12in) diam. Estimate £16,000 - 20,000 (€19,000 - 24,000). Sold for £ 20,000 (€ 22,448). Photo Bonhams

The heavily potted bowl raised on a low circular foot, the gently rounded sides rising to the flaring rim, all covered on the exterior with a rich deep cobalt glaze, paling at the rim and stopping neatly at the foot, the underside glazed white. 

Provenance: Cunliffe Collection (label)
E.T.Hall Collection, no.317 (label)
Christie's London, 7 June 2004, lot 216

Note: Compare a bowl of similar proportions but slightly smaller (8.9cm diam.) and with an incised Wanli six-character mark, from the Qing Court Collection, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Monochrome Porcelain, Shanghai, 1999, no.72.

The Da Ming Hui Dian suggests that different monochrome pieces were assigned to different temples, with blue pieces made for the Altar of Heaven: see J.Harrison-Hall, Ming Ceramics in the British Museum, London, 2001, p.214.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE ART. London, New Bond Street, 15 May 2014