23. 23R A Cantonese export porcelain punch bowl made for Nasr al-Din Shah (reg. 1848-1896) China, circa 1877-78 of deep rounded form on a short foot, extensively decorated in polychrome and gilt with cusped cartouches and roundel to well depicting perching birds, floral sprays, and butterflies, one cartouche with inscription surmounted by two lions and a sun motif, a crown above, all on a ground of floral interlace 18.5 cm diam. Inscriptions: al-sultan ibn al-sultan wa al-khaqan ibn al-khaqan, Nasir al-din shah Qajar, 'The Sultan, son of the Sultan, the Monarch, the son of the Monarch, Nasr al-Din Shah, Qajar'. Conforming to the Famille Rose Canton style, this particular bowl forms part of a service produced for Nasr al-Din Shah Qajar, of which many vessels are dated AH 1294 (AD 1877-78). For further examples see Daniel Nadler, China to Order: Focussing on the XIXth Century and Surveying Polychrome Export Porcelain Produced During the Qing Dynasty, Paris 2001, p.167, pl.208. Important Notice to Buyers Some countries, e.g., the US, prohibit or restrict the purchase by its citizens (wherever located) and/or the import of certain types of works of particular origins. As a convenience to buyers, Bonhams has marked with the symbol R all lots of Iranian (Persian), Syrian or Afghan origin. It is each buyer's responsibility to ensure that they do not bid on or import a lot in contravention of the sanctions or trade embargoes that apply to them.