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

The decoration on this bowl is executed in the ‘boneless’ technique, so called because the design is painted in without the use of outlines. This style of decoration is perhaps the least common of the enamelling techniques used at Jingdezhen as it was too complicated to use on a mass production scale, and if not handled well, gives the impression that the piece was unfinished. The technique is discussed in detail by R. Scott, ‘18th Century Overglaze Enamels: the Influence of Technological Development on Painting Style’, Style in the East Asian Tradition, Percival David Foundation, London, 1987, pp. 158-164.

Compare to a set of five Yongzheng-marked wine cups of smaller size but similarly enamelled with flowers and butterflies in boneless style, sold at Sotheby’s New York, 18 March 2015, lot 280; and another pair sold at Sotheby’s London, 10 November 2010, lot 117.