Asian Art Auction

June 10, 2013

LOT 214

Lot 214

Extremely Rare Famille Verte Bowl, Kangxi Mark and Period (1664-1722)

Extremely Rare Famille Verte Bowl, Kangxi Mark and Period (1664-1722)
Lot 214 Details
Extremely Rare Famille Verte Bowl, Kangxi Mark and Period (1664-1722)

The shallow sides rising towards a smooth wide rim, all supported on a hidden foot ring and decorated with a song bird perched on a branch of flora with the design continuing along the interior
diameter 5.3" — 13.5 cm.

Estimate $20,000-$30,000

Realised: $179,500
Price Includes Buyer's Premium ?

Lot Report

Additional Images
Extremely Rare Famille Verte Bowl, Kangxi Mark and Period (1664-1722)
  • Extremely Rare Famille Verte Bowl, Kangxi Mark and Period (1664-1722)
  • Extremely Rare Famille Verte Bowl, Kangxi Mark and Period (1664-1722)
Provenance:

The Estate of Doris McCordick (1912-1977) of St. Catherines, ON, thence by descent within the family. The bowl was a gift from her brother-in-law Paul Grigaut (1905-1969) while he was chief curator of the Detroit Art Institute from 1955-1963. Paul Grigaut was an internationally renowned decorative arts and ceramics specialist who studied and taught at many institutions including the University of Paris, University of Chicago, Fogg Museum of Harvard, and Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. His research, correspondences, photographs, slides and lecture notes are all stored at the Bentley Historical Library at the University of Michigan.

Note:

Elegantly rendered with the sensitivity and style traditionally associated with Chinese paintings on silk or paper, the bowl depicts a solitary bird, possibly in the form of a waxwing, perched on a branch of red berries. Designs of Kangxi period bowls featuring a single bird are extremely rare with the most recent example sold in Sotheby’s Hong Kong ‘The Meiyintang Collection’, April 7 2011, lot 3.

Additionally, the continuous design of twisting branches on both the interior and exterior, as seen on the present bowl, is a highly unusual feature. While this type of motif originated in the Kangxi period, it was more commonly found in Yongzheng famille rose examples of bowls and dishes. Compare to a pair of bowls with fruiting sprays and butterflies from the B. Y. Lam Foundation published in Qing Imperial Porcelain (The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1995), no. 24. The quality of the famille verte enamels is almost identical to the present bowl, along with the shape, hidden footring, and mark.

CONDITION DETAILS

For condition information please contact the specialist.

LOT 214
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About Condition Ratings

  • 5 Stars: Excellent - No discernable damage, flaws or imperfections
  • 4 Stars: Very Good - Minor flaws or imperfections visible only under close inspection using specialised instruments or black light
  • 3 Stars: Good - Minor flaws visible upon inspection under standard lighting
  • 2 Stars: Fair - Exhibits flaws or damage that may draw the eye under standard lighting
  • 1 Star: Poor - Flaws or damage immediately apparent under standard lighting (examples: missing components, rips, broken glass, damaged surfaces, etc.)

Note: Condition ratings and condition details are the subjective opinions of our specialists and should be used as a guide only. Waddington’s uses due care when preparing condition details, however, our staff are not professional restorers or conservators. Condition details and reports are not warranties and each lot is sold “as is” in accordance with the buyer’s terms and conditions of sale. In all cases the prospective purchaser is responsible for inspecting the property themselves prior to placing a bid.