well potted with deep rounded sides rising from a tapered foot to a gently flaring rim, the exterior delicately incised and painted in green enamel on a bright egg-yolk yellow ground, depicting a band of two five-clawed dragons striding amongst flames in pursuit of flaming pearls, above five phoenix roundels divided by stylised cloud scrolls, the interior painted in underglaze blue with a central medallion enclosing a stylised shou character encircled by scrolling clouds, all within double-line borders repeated at the rim, the base inscribed with a six-character reign mark within a double circle
The bowl is in overall very good condition with firing imperfections including minor fritting at the mouthrim, minute kiln grits, firing lines and a tiny area of glaze discolouration to the interior well.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
This rare design of a band of phoenix below a band of dragons is unique to the Kangxi period and was only produced in this green and yellow palette, which was first introduced during the Zhengde reign (1506-1521). Bowls of this type and decorated with this design are rare and only a limited number of examples is known; a closely related example in the Tsui Museum of Art is illustrated in
Chinese Ceramics IV. Qing Dynasty, Hong Kong, 1995, pl. 111; another from the collection of Mrs M. Constantinidi, published in Soame Jenyns,
Later Chinese Porcelain, London, 1951, pl. LXIX, no. 2, was sold in our London rooms, 8th July 1947, lot 22; and two were sold at Christie's Hong Kong, the first from the collection of Christina Loke Balsara, 19th January 1988, lot 284, and the second, 5th/6th November 1997, lot 972. As yellow-glazed wares with green dragons are mentioned in palace regulations as having been reserved for fourth-rank
fei consorts, this rare variation of the phoenix and dragon motif may have been produced for a special occasion, such as a birthday, as suggested by the auspicious character on the interior.
Phoenix depicted with their wings outstretched and their long feathers forming a roundel became a popular motif during the Kangxi period, appearing on porcelain bowls painted in copper red and in underglaze blue. See for example a Kangxi mark and period bowl painted with phoenix roundels in copper red, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, included in Catalogue of the Special Exhibition of K'ang-Hsi, Yung-Cheng and Ch'ien-Lung Porcelain Ware from the Ch'ing Dynasty in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1986, cat. no. 7; another from the T.Y. Chao collection, sold in these rooms, 25th November 1980, lot 113; and an underglaze-blue example included in Exhibition of Ancient Chinese Ceramics, The Kau Chi Socie♌ty oꦦf Chinese Art, Hong Kong, 1981, cat. no. 111.
