Lot 79. A pair of blue and white bowls, Kangxi six-character marks in underglaze blue within double circles and of the period (1662-1722). Estimate £40,000 – £60,000 ($58,240 - $87,360). Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2016.

Each bowl is decorated to the exterior with six shou characters enclosed within foliate ruyi-shaped cartouches, with a further shou character to the interior with stylised scrolls, below a border of leaves and ruyi heads around the mouth rim.
5 3/8 in. (13.7 cm.) diam. 

Provenance: From the collection of the late Hans J. Christensen (1922-1985) 

Hans J. Christensen was Secretary of the Royal Danish Legation in Beijing between 1952 & 1954. This was Christensen’s first posting and he was given the task of setting up the Danish Embassy in China. Christensen quickly became an influential figure in the Chinese political circle and enjoyed a successful career as Danish ambassador with postings in Washington and Eastern Europe. It was during his short period that he became interested in Chinese art.

Christie's. INSPIRED THEMES: A FINE SELECTION OF CHINESE WORKS OF ART, 10 May 2016, London, King Street