A GUAN-TYPE MALLOW-FORM BRUSH WASHER, XI, YUAN TO MING DYNASTY China, 1279-1644. Finely potted with six lobes in the form of mallow petals, the straight sides rising from a concave base to an everted lip. Covered overall with a thick, soft gray glaze suffused with a network of dark crackles.

Provenance: From an English private collection.
Condition: Good condition with extensive wear, some soiling and traces of use, overall as expected and commensurate with age. Some firing flaws, including glaze recesses and open bubbles, the base with five spur marks.

Weight: 254.7 g
Dimensions: Width 12.3 cm

Expert’s note: Note the slightly concave base of the present washer, allowing the user to mix colors in the domed center of the interior, while the water would pool in the recess along the edge. This exquisite form was rather difficult to achieve even for the experienced potter at the time and would have made this a superior tool fit for a master artist.

Auction result comparison: Compare a related Guan-type mallow-form washer, dated to the Ming dynasty, at Christie’s New York in Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art on 6 November 2018, lot 149, sold for USD 16,250.

元至明代仿官釉六棱葵瓣式洗
中國，1279-1644年。撇口，上豐下斂，葵花六瓣式。整體覆蓋著一層厚厚的灰色釉，細披黑色開片紋。

來源：英國私人收藏。
品相：狀況良好，磨損嚴重，有一些髒污和使用痕跡，總體符合預期且與年齡相稱。一些燒製瑕疵，包括釉面凹陷和開放式氣泡，底部有五個芝麻釘痕。

重量：254.7 克
尺寸：寬12.3 厘米

拍賣結果比較：比較一件相近的明代仿官釉葵瓣式洗，見紐約佳士得Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art 2018年11月6日 lot 149, 售價USD 16,250。