Lot 28. A 'Ming-style' blue and white moonflask, bianhu, 18th century; Lot 28. Estimate HK$ 100,000 - 150,000 (€12,000 - 18,000). Sold for HK$ 475,000 (€ 56,746). Photo: Bonhams.

The flattened circular body boldly decorated on each side in deep cobalt blue with a leafy fruiting branch of peaches, below a band of pendent leaves at the shoulder, with scroll-form curved handles at the cylindrical neck, box (2).

Note: The present lot is an example of 18th century wares modelled after blue and white moonflasks from the Yongle period. Compare the form with a Yongle period moonflask, decorated with lychees, illustrated by J.Harrison-Hall, Ming Ceramics in the British Museum, London, 2001, p.109, no.3:20. These Ming dynasty prototypes were in turn modelled after Central Asian or Persian metallic flasks which first entered China in the Tang period. With painted dots to simulate the early Ming 'heap and pile' effect, the current lot's peach decoration was also executed to imitate those found on Ming period pieces.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 4 Jun 2015 10:30 HKT - HONG KONG, ADMIRALTY