A YONGZHENG MARK & PERIOD BOWL China, 1723-1735. The deep rounded sides rising from a short foot, covered overall with a rich jilan sacrificial blue glaze thinning to white at rim and foot, the base with the mark in underglaze blue. Condition: Superb condition. Some glaze scratches especially to the inside of the bowl. Very minor firing imperfections. Provenance: French private collection. Old label with inscription "7 2 /59" possibly referring to the original acquisition date. A second label bears the inscription "Lille, France". A third paper label bears an illegible inventory number. Weight: 303 g. Dimensions: Diameter 16.2 cm. Among the imperial altars at which the emperors personally made sacrifices was the Tiantan (Altar of Heaven), which would have blue vessels - hence jilan or ‚sacrificial blue' glaze.