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

The shape, decoration and size of this small bowl appear to have been inspired by Wanli-period prototypes decorated in wucai enamels on the exterior with a continuous scene of scholars and mythical beasts between trees below a narrow decorative border, and on the interior with a roundel of a leaping dragon, such as the example in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Enamelled Ware of the Ming Dynasty, Book III, Hong Kong, 1989, pls. 16-16d.