A RARE BLUE AND WHITE 'DRAGON' BASIN MARK AND PERIOD OF WANLI

the body of lobed form, the rounded sides rising from a flat base to a broad everted lobed rim, painted in rich cobalt-blue tones to the interior with a medallion enclosing a full faced scaly five-clawed dragon in pursuit of a flaming pearl, all amidst leafy floral srigs, the sides similarly painted with five rectangular dragon panels and the rim with a continuous band of five dragons in mutual pursuit of flaming pearls, the exterior with a bajixiang band between loose undulating leafy lotus scroll bands at the foot and rim

The basin is in very good condition with the exception of some very minor fritting at the rim; a 1.2cm. wide polished rim firing imperfection; several minor glaze pulls to the inside edge of the rim and to the exterior of the rim; a 6mm. diam domed firing imperfection to the base of the interior; a shallow three-pointed firing line to the base; and light glaze scratches. It should be noted that the cobalt-blue is of a far richer and darker blue tone than the catalogue illustration would suggest.
"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 Wanli basin is impressive for its elegant cinquefoil form, sturdy potting and for the lively depiction of a ferocious five-clawed dragon in its interior in deep tone of underglaze-blue. Wanli basins of this type are known with various designs, but the dragon design appears to be the rarest with only a small number of similar examples recorded. A closely related basin with this motif, from the Chang Foundation, is illustrated in Selected Ceramics from Han to Qing Dynasties, Taipei, 1990, pl. 104;  and another, formerly in the Jingguantang Collection, was sold in these rooms, 17th November 1999, lot 746. 

Compare also a Wanli basin painted with the same dragon design in underglaze-blue and polychrome enamels published in Chinese Ceramics in the Idemitsu Collection, Tokyo, 1987, pl. 754, together with a related six-lobed blue-and-white basin decorated with dragon and phoenix, pl. 753.

Basins of this form can also be found decorated with the design of fish and weeds in enamels, also with a Wanli reign mark and of the period; see one included in Mayuyama Seventy Years, vol. 1, Tokyo, 1976, pl. 104. Another blue-and-white cinquefoil vessel, the interior decorated with a mythical beast and other auspicious animals was sold in these rooms, 1/2nd April 1974, lot 204.