14.2 cm. (5 5/8 in.) diam.

Literature:Yamanaka & Company , Collection of Chinese and Other Far Eastern Art , New York, 1943, no.1170 (one of a pair)Christie's Hong Kong, Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Highlights, Christie's 20 Years in Hong Kong 1986-2006, Hong Kong, 2006, pl.195
With deep rounded sides resting on a short circular foot, the exterior beautifully decorated in brilliant famille-rose palette with branches issuing small pink floral buds and intertwined with long curling stems, bearing large flowering blooms of peonies detailed in shaded tones of pink and iron red, the dense petals further highlighted with pollen picked out with yellow-enamelled speckles, two small bees depicted in flight, the base inscribed with an imperial six-character reign mark within a double-circle in underglaze blue.This bowl is a superb example of the high technical standards and artistry gained on famille rose porcelains from the Yongzheng period. With the innovation of the famille rose palette including opaque and semi-opaque enamels, a wider range of colours fired on porcelain that appeared softer and gentler was perfected in the Yongzheng era. These graduated shades of pink, white and yellow enamels were expertly used by craftsmen to render delicate shading, making designs more complex and pleasing. The composition of the decoration, with undulating stems and leaves with various views of full blooms and buds, also exhibit the aesthetic sensibilities and astute artistry favoured by the Yongzheng emperor. Same subject matter also appears on other imperial porcelains of various forms, with extensive examples housed in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Porcelains with Cloisonne Enamel Decoration and Famille Rose Decoration, Hong Kong, 2008, pp.56 & 67, nos.46 & 57.It is interesting to note that this bowl was originally one of a pair: the earliest record for these pair of bowls was owned and recorded by Yamanaka & Co., Collection of Chinese and Other Far Eastern Art, New York, 1943, no.1170 as a pair, and was subsequently at Parke-Bernet Galleries Inc. New York, 24-27 May 1994, lot 288, to New York collector Allen J. Mercher. In 1956, the estate of the late Allen J. Mercher was offered for auction, and these pair of bowls was sold again at Parke-Bernet Galleries Inc. New York, 1-2 November 1956, lot 242, to Mr. K. L. Essayan. When Mr. K. L. Essayan sold these pair of bowls at Sotheby's London, 2 March 1971, lot 196, they were sadly separated and sold at different times.The present lot was sold at Sotheby's London, 4 December 1971, lot 173, then resurfaced on the market almost 30 years later and was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 29 April 2002, lot 567 to an American collector, before selling it on in these rooms, 29 November 2005, lot 1349. The other pair on the other hand, was last seen when offered and sold at Sotheby's London, 29 November 1976, lot 626.Provenance:Yamanaka & Co. Ltd., 1943Parke Bernet Galleries Inc., 24-27 May 1944, lot 288 (one of a pair)Allen J. Mercher collectionParke Bernet Galleries Inc., 1– 2 November 1956, lot 242 (one of a pair)K.L. Essayan collection Sotheby's London, 2 March 1971, lot 196Sotheby's London, 14 December 1971, lot 173Christie's Hong Kong, 29 April 2002, lot 567An American private collection Christie's Hong Kong, 28 November 2005, lot 1349

Price estimate:
HKD: 5,000,000 - 7,000,000
USD: 637,500 - 892,500

Auction Result:
HKD: 6,360,000