Lot 1589. A rare pair of pale celadon-glazed moulded bowls, Yongzheng six-character marks within double circles and of the period (1723-1735); 4¾ in. (12.2 cm.) diam. Estimate HKD 800,000 - HKD 1,000,000. Price realised HKD 1,687,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2008.

Each of deep, rounded conical form, the exterior is moulded in low relief with three sprays of double-gourd vine, each leafy scrolling vine bearing a single gourd positioned below a bat, covered inside and out with a pale celadon glaze of even tone.

Provenance: A Long Island collector.

Note: A single bowl of this very rare pattern was included in the S Marchant and Son exhibition, Imperial Porcelain of Kangxi, Yongzheng & Qianlong, London, 9-25 June 1996, no. 14. See also the bowl of this pattern sold in at Christie's London, 11 June 1990, lot 164. A pair of slightly lager bowls with the same design was sold at Christie's South Kensington, 15 June 2005, lot 259.

Christie's. The Imperial Sale including Elegance and Artistry. Treasures from a Private Collection, Hong Kong, 27 May 2008