Preliminary identification
Photo reference
3 uploaded photos
Overview
An exquisitely decorated porcelain bowl featuring a vibrant array of butterflies rendered in the delicate Famille Rose (Fencai) enamel palette. The base bears a six-character apocryphal mark of the Yongzheng Emperor (大清雍正年製) within a double ring, a common practice of honoring the golden age of imperial porcelain production.
Story
Butterflies have danced across Chinese porcelain for centuries, carrying wishes of longevity and joy. This specific design, known as 'Hundred Butterflies' (百蝶圖), represents a visual pun for multiplying blessings and reaching a ripe old age. It is a celebration of life captured in glass-like enamels.
Maker / Origin
While bearing the mark of the Yongzheng Emperor (who ruled from 1723-1735), this bowl was crafted by highly skilled artisans in Jingdezhen during the late Qing or Republic period. These workshops specialized in reviving the ultra-refined, delicate aesthetics of the early 18th-century imperial court for a new generation of global collectors.
Condition & Value
The bowl appears to be in excellent condition with no visible cracks, chips, or major enamel loss. The glaze retains a beautiful, soft luster. Excellent condition for porcelain of this age significantly helps preserve its value. Value is driven by the quality of the enamel painting and the age of the piece.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.