The exterior carved with a continuous leafy vine issuing lotus blossoms, between a key-fret band below the rim and classic scroll at the foot, the interior well incised with two scaly dragons in a mutual pursuit of flaming pearls above a stylized "shou" character at the center, the bottom with a six character Kangxi mark in underglaze blue in a double circle and of the period. Repaired hairline and several small rim frits. 8 3/8 in. diam.
Provenance: Boston, Massachusetts Collection
Kangxi mark and period pea green celedon carved and incised dragon bowls are very rare and we have been able to locate only two. See Palace Museum. "Kangxi.Yongzheng.Qianlong, Qing Porcelain from the Palace Museum Collection", Forbidden City Publishing House, Hong Kong, 1989, p. 149, pl. 132; Christies Swire, October 1, 1991, lot 792 (shallow glaze chip to exterior of rim). The absence of additional examples in some of the important world renowned collections suggest that the number of these bowls produced at the Imperial kilns must have been small.
There are a limited number of other types of carved Kangxi mark and period porcelain wares with a celedon glaze. Compare a Kangxi marked carved celedon brushpot, Sotheby's New York, May 31, 1989, lot 170A; a carved Kangxi marked celedon waterpot, Sotheby's Hong Kong, May 17. 1988, lot 65. In addition, there are a number of examples of unmarked Kangxi bowls, brushpots, vases and plates that are carved or incised.
We repeat here our position that mark and period 18th C and 19th C porcelains are being returned to China in large numbers as more Mainland Chinese and their agents source Chinese Taste art taken from China by the West. For the serious collector acquiring fully vetted fine Chinese porcelains should be a priority given the rapidly diminishing supply and the continuing upward trend of valuations.
