Expert’s note: Note the deep and long-lasting sound, exactly as expected from 17th-century wares. Also, the present bowls are clearly carved and not molded, as seen in the stylized lotus petals, of which none are exactly the same. This indicates that they are an earlier example from this group of wares, dating more likely to the 17th than the 18th century. The comparison listed below, on the other hand, shows molded decoration and is a later example, more likely dating from the 19th century.

China, 17th-18th century. The bowls with deep rounded sides supported on a tapering foot, carved and incised to the exterior with lotus blossoms on scrolling vines issuing further lotus petals and foliage, covered overall in a pale celadon glaze pooling in the recesses, attractively darkening to a pale blue reminiscent of Qingbai glazes. (2)

Provenance: From the collection of Wilhelm Montelius, and thence by descent in the same family. Wilhelm Montelius (1852-1918) was the Chairman of the board of the Swedish telephone company Ericsson between 1901 and 1916. He was a passionate collector of oriental art and ceramics and due to Ericsson’s business in China was able to acquire several important cultural artifacts before the beginning of WWI, which became part of his collection.
Condition: Good condition, commensurate with age, with some old wear and expected firing flaws. One bowl with a small chip and associated hairline as well as minor fritting to the rim and few shallow chips to the foot. The other bowl with minor fritting to the rim. The chips and frits with associated old fills. No hidden damages, everything is well visible on our images at www.zacke.at.

Weight: 1,447 g and 1,327 g
Dimensions: Diameter 26.2 cm and 26.3 cm

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s London, 6 November 2012, lot 270
Price: GBP 12,500 or approx. EUR 21,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A large pale celadon-glazed molded 'phoenix' bowl, 18th/19th century
Expert remark: Compare the related form, glaze, size (25.5 cm), and the similarities between the scrolling clouds of this bowl and the lotus petals on the present lot. Note that the bowl is molded and not carved like the present lot.



清初一對青釉蓮花紋碗
中國，十七至十八世紀。厚胎，弧腹，圈足。碗外壁刻纏枝蓮花紋。通體施青釉，在凹槽處匯聚成更深的顏色。(2)

專家注釋：請注意深沉而持久的聲音，完全符合十七世紀瓷碗的預期。此外，這件碗刻工清晰，並非模製，如蓮瓣紋樣，無一雷同。這表明它們此類瓷碗中較早的例子，更可能是 十七世紀而不是十八世紀。另一方面，下面列出一個相似的例子，更有可能來自十九世紀。

來源：Wilhelm Montelius收藏，在同一家族保存至今。Wilhelm Montelius (1852-1918) 於1901 年至 1916 年間，是瑞典愛立信電話公司的董事會主席。他是一位熱情的東方藝術和陶瓷收藏家，由於愛立信在中國的業務，他能夠在第一次世界大戰開始前收購幾件重要的文物，成為他收藏的一部分。
品相：狀況良好，有一些磨損和燒製缺陷。一個碗帶有小碎屑和冲線，邊緣有輕微磨損，底部有一些淺磕損。另一個碗的邊緣有小修。沒有隱藏的損壞，請看我們 www.zacke.at 提供的圖片。

重量：分別爲1,447 克與1,327 克。
尺寸：直徑 26.2 厘米與26.3 厘米

拍賣結果比較：
形制：相近
拍賣：倫敦佳士得，2012年11月6日，lot 270
價格：GBP 12,500（相當於今日EUR 21,500）
描述：清十八／十九世紀粉青釉雲鳳紋盌
專家評論：比較相近的外形、釉面、尺寸(25.5 厘米)，碗上的捲雲紋和我們碗上的纏枝紋相似。請注意此碗為堆塑，並非雕刻。