China, Ming Dynasty

decorated to the interior with mandarin duck in lotus pond, the rim with lotus scroll, raised on eight short feet

Sotheby's, London, 25 March 1975, lot 169

The dish has recently been cleaned sympathetically. There is a small 0.2x0.2cm bump to the interior. The angled edges show very minor cracks/splits, as consistent with age. Minor surface scratchings and rubbing to the patina.
"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."

The present dish appears to be unique, no other example of such form and material appears to have been published. However, a related circular fluted silver dish dated to 13^th/14^th century from the collection of Pierre Uldry, is illustrated in Museum Rietberg Zurich, Chinesisches Gold und Silber: die Sammlung Pierre Uldry, Zurich, 1994, pl. 271. A gilt-silver quatrefoil dish engraved with two chilong, also from the Ming dynasty, is now in the collection of Dingling Museum, Beijing. See Zhongguo Meishu Quanji, Gongyi Meishu Pian 10: Jinyin Boli Falang qi [Complete Collection of Chinese Art, Works of Art vol. 10: Gold, Silver, Glass and Enamels], Beijing, 1987, pl. 168.

Related circular dishes dated to the Song dynasty are known, including a silver dish engraved with fruiting lychee sprigs, sold in Sotheby’s London, 11^th June 1991, lot 14; another silver dish decorated with flowering peony, from the collection of Hon. Hugh Scott, exhibited in China Institute in America, Early Chinese Gold and Silver, New York 1971, no. 92; and a gold dish decorated with blooming lotuses from the collection of Carl Kempe, illustrated in Bo Gyllensvärd, Chinese Gold and Silver in the Carl Kempe Collection, Stockholm, 1953, pl. 52 and sold in our London rooms on 14^th May 2008, lot 106.