A RARE POLYCHROME CARVED LACQUER DISH JIAJING MARK AND PERIOD

of shallow octagonal form resting on a short footring, the center deeply carved through the red, ochre and green layers of lacquer with a scaly four-clawed dragon surmounted by a stylized shou character, all reserved against a wave-diaper ground, the details picked-out and carved in varying levels of depth to give a three-dimensional effect, encircled around the cavetto by eight panels enclosing the 'Eight Precious Emblems' and bound within a thick rim, the reverse with eight panels featuring different flowers and fruiting branches, incised and gilt to the black-lacquered base Da Ming Jiajing nian zhi ('Made during the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty'), the fifth claw of the dragon later removed

The dish is slightly warped due to age. There is a 2cm loss to one of the raised lines around the dragon, visible in the catalogue illustration. There is a 1cm loss to the rim, also visible in the illustration. There are two 1 inch long cracks going through the body of the dragon, visible in the illustration. There are some fine cracks on the rim extending to the side, consistent with age. The lacquer is slightly dirty, but it has very nice skin. Some nice marbling is visible on the foot where the lacquer has been ground. There is a smlal area of loss of about 1/4 inch on the foot. Overall in good condition, consistent with its age.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Compare a polychrome lacquer dish of the same form and design also bearing a Jiajing mark, published in Hu Shichang, 2000 Years of Chinese Lacquer, Hong Kong, 1993, p. 118, no. 59.