A MOULDED ‘DING’ ‘PHOENIX’ DISH JIN DYNASTY

the shallow rounded sides supported on a short neatly cut foot, crisply moulded to the interior with a central medallion enclosing two stylised floral blooms borne on meandering foliate scrolls, all encircled by a pair of phoenix in flight amongst similar floral scrolls, the details of the plumage meticulously picked out, encircled by a key-fret band just below the rim, covered overall in an ivory glaze pooling to characteristic teardrops on the exterior, the rim bound with silver

Naitō, Japan, 14th March 1965.
Bluett & Sons Ltd, London, 1965 (£225).
Collection of Roger Pilkington (1928-69), from 1965 (£350).

There is a 0.3 cm flake to the underside below the silver rim. As visible in the catalogue photo, there are typical firing imperfections and general surface wear to the dish.
"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 similar dish in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, is illustrated in Jan Wirgin, Sung Ceramic Designs, Stockholm, 1970, pl. 85a; another but lacking the flower sprays, from the Axel and Nora Lundgren collection and now in the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, Stockholm, is published in Basil Gray, Sung Porcelain and Stoneware, London, 1984, pl. 54, and two similar dishes of slightly larger size were sold at Christie’s London, 13th December 1982, lot 417, and 8th December 1986, lot 230. See also a reconstructed bowl moulded with a similar pattern, excavated in Quyang county, Hebei province, and illustrated in Series of China’s Ancient Porcelain Kiln Sites. Ding Kiln of China, Beijing, 2012, pl. 156.