A PAIR OF 'FAMILLE-VERTE' BISCUIT ENAMELLED DISHES MARKS AND PERIOD OF KANGXI

each of shallow rounded form rising to a slightly everted rim, the interior decorated with quinces and pomegranates borne on leafy branches painted in vibrant tones of yellow, green and aubergine, the centre incised with a writhing five-clawed dragon in pursuit of a flaming pearl amidst flames and cloud swirls, the cavetto with two further similar dragons, painted on the exterior with camellia and peony sprays, incised with two further dragons above a band of lotus lappets above the foot, the base inscribed in underglaze-blue with a six character mark within double-circles

Dishes of this type can be found in important museums and private collections around the world. See one in the Tokyo National Museum illustrated in Toki zenshu, vol. 16, Tokyo, 1960, pl. 6; one in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in the Enamelled Ware of the Ch'ing Dynasty, Book I, Hong Kong, 1969, pl. 8; and one in the Shanghai Museum published in Chugoku toji zenshu, vol. 21, Tokyo, 1981, pl. 79. 

A similar dish, in the Chang Foundation, is illustrated in James Spencer, Selected Chinese Ceramics from Han to Qing Dynasties, Taipei, 1990, pl. 120; another was included in the exhibition Splendour of the Qing Dynasty, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1992, cat.no. 144; a third from the T.Y. Chao collection was sold in these rooms, 19th May 1987, lot 302; and a similar pair sold in these rooms, 23rd October 2005, lot 375. 

Compare also a similar dish from the British Rail Pension Fund, exhibited on loan at the Dallas Museum of Art, 1985-1988, sold in our London rooms, 6th April 1976, lot 163, and again, in these rooms, 16th May 1989, lot 70.