A fine yellow-glazed bowl, Kangxi six-character mark and of the period. Photo: Bonhams.

Of deep rounded sides rising from a slightly tapering foot, covered inside and out in a rich and lustrous egg-yolk yellow glaze, the base with an underglaze-blue Imperial kaishu mark within double circles. 12.5 diam. Estimate HK$ 900,000 - 1.2 million €85,000 - 110,000. Unsold

Notes: Yellow glaze of such rich and lustrous quality is often regarded as 'Imperial yellow'. 'Imperial yellow' glaze was used as a colour on porcelain vessel from the Ming Dynasty, as early as during the Xuande reign. Yellow glazes during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, were either applied directly to the pre-fired body, which achieved richer and warmer tones, or on top of a high-fired glaze which results in an even and smooth appearance. 'Imperial yellow' wares were particularly prized given that Qing regulations accorded this colour only for the Emperor, Empress or Dowager Empress. So important was the colour yellow, such wares were also designated for rituals conducted by the Emperor at the Altar of Earth. 

Various examples of much larger plain yellow-glazed Kangxi mark and period bowls have been published: for example a pair included in the Catalogue of Ming and Qing Monochrome Wares in the Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art, London, 1989, p.33, no.A522a and A522b; one in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Illustrated Catalogue of Ch'ing Dynasty Porcelain: K'ang-hsi and Yung-cheng Ware, Tokyo, 1980, pl.63; one illustrated by J. Ayers,The Baur Collection Geneva, 1972, vol. 3, no.A446; and another illustrated by R. Krahl in Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, vol.2, London, 1994, p.230, no.893. 

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART. Hong Kong, Admiralty, 26 May 2014 14:00 HKT - http://www.bonhams.com/