Lot 838. A small doucai ‘Tribute Bearers’ bowl, Yongzheng six-character mark in underglaze-blue within a double circle and of the period (1723-1735); 3 7/8 in. (10 cm.) diam., box. Estimate USD 40,000 – USD 60,000. Price realised USD 68,750. © Christie's Images Ltd 2014.

The exterior is decorated with a scene of four foreigners bearing tribute approaching a walled city. The interior is decorated with a central medallion of a five-clawed dragon leaping amidst clouds as it reaches for a flaming pearl.

Note: The shape, decoration and size of this small bowl appear to have been inspired by Wanli-period prototypes decorated inwucai enamels on the exterior with a continuous scene of scholars and mythical beasts between trees below a narrow decorative border, and on the interior with a roundel of a leaping dragon, such as the example in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Enamelled Ware of the Ming Dynasty, Book III, Hong Kong, 1989, pls. 16-16d.

Christie’s. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 18 – 19 September 2014, New York, Rockefeller Plaza