China, 1736-1795. Finely painted in bright enamels to the interior with a scene depicting a group of scholars examining and discussing a scroll held by the eldest sage, accompanied by attendants carrying further scrolls and books. All encircled by a wide band of composite floral scroll against a yellow ground and below a key-fret band, the exterior similarly decorated with four evenly spaced chilong amid lotus scroll against a yellow ground, the base with a chilong medallion.

One lazy lad has found an inconspicuous hiding spot behind two trees and sits at a rocky table with his head buried in his arms, blissfully asleep.

Provenance: John Sparks Ltd., London, United Kingdom. Collection of William A. Palmer, acquired from the above in 1987. A copy of the original invoice from John Sparks, dated 18 March 1987, confirming the dating above, and stating a purchase price of GBP 4,850 or approx. EUR 22,500 (converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing), accompanies the lot. This lot also includes a copy of a personal letter dated 23 March 1987, written and signed by Michael Gillingham, then director of John Sparks. Addressed to 'Dear Bill,' the letter mentions that '[his] restorer is filling in the two chips on the reverse [...]'.
Captain William Alexander ‘Bill’ Palmer CBE DL (1925-2020) was the son of Reginald and Lena Palmer, whose Chinese art collection was among the most significant private European collections of the late 19th and 20th centuries. Following his service in the Grenadier Guard in Germany and Palestine during the 1940s, William succeeded his father as director of Huntley & Palmers biscuit company. He became a prominent figure in the food industry, serving as Chairman of the Flour Milling and Baking Research Association in 1970. After Lena’s death in 1981, William inherited the family collection, becoming its third-generation keeper. He expanded it and demonstrated a deep understanding of both the art's quality and the history of how the collection was meticulously built from its origins.
Condition: Some old wear, firing irregularities, surface scratches, expected stress lines here and there, the foot with a single aperture to the side. Minor chips to the enamel, some with associated old fills. The colors are crisp and incredibly well-preserved. Overall the condition is considerably better than typically found on this type of rather large canton enamel dish. Displaying exceptionally well.

Weight: 2,144 g
Dimensions: Diameter 44.4 cm

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 1 December 2010, lot 3229
Price: HKD 350,000 or approx. EUR 59,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A large canton enamel circular dish, Qing dynasty, 18^th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related form, decoration, and manner of painting, with a similar motif and size (40 cm). Also note the similar stress lines and other condition issues.