Rare enameled paktong ('baitong') covered bowl on stand. Decorated in a muted lapis lazuli blue enamel within recessed lotus and vine motif and rim with key border on the bowl with bail handles; also on the cover centering a stylized Shou character roundel surrounded by five evenly arranged bats; and the base with a border of lotus leaves atop shaped skirt raised on cabriole legs on openwork foot suggestive of a coin, or 'cash' (together with the bowl hinting of a "hundred treasures" motif.) Other engraved and stippled decoration includes clouds on the cover, secondary vine on the bowl, and Shou characters on the stand's four cabriole legs. Signed with three engraved characters on the foot of the bowl. Very good condition. The enamel appears to have originally had a somewhat distressed and uneven appearance apparently using minerals prepared by hand - in places, particularly on the stand, appearing black. The covered bowl on stand is altogether about 6 1/2 inches height (16.51 cm). The bowl's diameter is about 7 1/8 inches (18.09 cm). We did not clean this up at all so as not to disturb patina.

We have found a blue enameled shallow bowl, as an example of the work rather than the form, in Christie's lot 32, sale 5909, London, South Kensington, 2009, 18th or 19th century (possibly the same bowl, cleaned up, as Christie's lot 79, sale 9024, London, South Kensington, 2001 where it was further describe as southern, Yunan, also 18th or 19th century.)

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