A RARE BLUE AND WHITE 'ELEPHANT AND LION' DISH MING DYNASTY, 16TH CENTURY

the rounded sides rising from a short tapering foot to an everted rim, painted in rich cobalt-blue tones to the interior with a medallion enclosing a large Buddhist lion and elephant, encircled in the well by four prunus sprays, the exterior with three stylised floral sprays above a classic scroll band 

This rare dish is in very good condition with the exception of minor firing imperfections including iron spots, light fritting at the rim, some burst glaze bubbles and glaze pulls to the interior, adhered kiln grit to the interior and footring, a slight warp to the body, glaze discolouration to approximately a quarter of the surface and light glaze scratches.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A slightly smaller dish of closely related design, in the Ardebil Shrine, is illustrated in John Alexander Pope, Chinese Ceramics from the Ardebil Shrine, Washington, 1956, pl. 91, fig. 29.147. Compare also a dish similarly decorated with a central medallion of a lion and elephant by a stream, but with a bird and flower scroll on the everted rim, in the Topkapi Saray Museum, Istanbul, published in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics in the Topkapi Saray Museum, vol. 2, London, 1986, p. 610, pl. 844; and another sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 24^th May 1979, lot 361.