Bowls tipped to top auction house record

Wednesday 25th November 2009, 2:29PM GMT.

Consultant valuer James Bridges with the three Yongzheng bowls. The 12cm ones are a pair, the only one found, and are expected to sell for more than the previous record at a Martel Maides auction. (Picture by Tom Tardif, 0876542)

A PAIR of rare Chinese porcelain bowls is likely to break records at a local auction house tomorrow.

Martel Maides is expecting fierce bidding for the porcelain, which dates from the 18th century.

Consultant valuer James Bridges said it had been exciting researching and authenticating the pieces.

Three bowls used at the Imperial Palace were on show in London during International Asia Week earlier this month.

Every known major international collector of specialised porcelain made an appointment to view the pieces.

Two bidders will be in Guernsey for the auction, one flying in from Hong Kong, and 12 telephone lines have been booked. ‘We expect keen bidding both in person and on the telephone lines. We are nearly to our full capacity on the phones,’ said Mr Bridges.

The three Yongzheng period famille rose bowls, owned by the same Guernsey family for at least the last 80 years, date from between 1723 and 1735.