Lot 3423. A massive blue and white 'lotus scroll' basin, Qianlong period (1736-1795); 24 1/8 in. (61.2 cm.) diam. Estimate HKD 200,000 - HKD 300,000. Price realised HKD 750,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2013

The basin is heavily potted with gently rounded sides rising to a short waisted neck below a broad lipped rim. It is finely painted in vivid tones of blue on the exterior with a scrolling Indian lotus issuing leaves and foliage, below a band of ruyi-heads and above upright lappet panels. The neck is further adorned with a band of reserve-decorated beads. The base is unglazed, Japanese double wood boxes.

Provenance: A Japanese family collection, acquired between 1920-1930.

Note: The inscription on the Japanese wood box accompanying this current jar is identified as the calligraphy of Ryoichi Fujioka (1909-1991), former chief curator at the Kyoto National Museum, and eminent scholar on Chinese ceramics, who was also one of the contributing authors to the well-respected publication on Chinese ceramics Sekai Toji Zenshu.

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art (Including The Su Zhu An Collection of Inkstones), Hong Kong, 27 November 2013