YONGZHENG SIX-CHARACTER MARK WITHIN A DOUBLE CIRCLE IN UNDERGLAZE BLUE AND OF THE PERIOD (1723-1735)

The pattern seen on the present tea bowl is very rare and exemplifies the exquisite and elegant taste of Emperor Yongzheng. An identical pair of grisaille-decorated small tea bowls with this rare pattern, bearing Yongzheng reign marks, was sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 29 November 1978, lot 343, and illustrated in Chinese antiquities from the Brian S. McElney Collection , Hong Kong, 1987, no. 102. A further example was sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 13 November 1990, lot 24.