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

strongly potted of cinquefoil section, finely painted overall in vivid tones of cobalt-blue, the interior floor with a ferocious five-clawed dragon in full-frontal position leaping in pursuit of a 'flaming pearl' amid leafy sprays of chrysanthemum, peony, crab apple, camellia and morning glory, the five gently lobed sides decorated with five dragons striding amid further floral scrolls, the rim similarly decorated with dragons chasing 'flaming pearls' amid floral scrolls, the exterior decorated on the sides with ten precious objects borne on a continuous lingzhi meander below a similar lingzhi scroll around the underside of the rim, the base unglazed save for a recessed medallion in the centre inscribed with the six-character mark within a double-circle 

Sotheby's London, 7th June 1988, lot 225.
Christie's New York, 18th September 1997, lot 152.
Sotheby's London, 17th November 1999, lot 746.

In good condition with significant kiln grit to the interior well and rim, with less significant grit on the exterior sides. Fritting on the interior edge of everted rim and along the lobed sides of the interior. Everted rim also with approximately 6 mm area of glaze pull. Exterior of rim with 1 cm evidence of restoration, where it has turned slightly yellow. The color is not as dark blue as the catalogue image suggests.
"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."

Compare a similar blue-and-white basin painted with dragons from the Chang Foundation illustrated in Selected Ceramics from Han to Qing Dynasties, Taipei, 1990, pl. 104; and another sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 7th July 2003, lot 651. Another blue-and-white five-lobed Wanli basin, the interior decorated with a mythical beast and other auspicious animals sold in our London rooms, 1/2nd April 1974, lot 204.    

A related Wanli blue-and-white basin of this form decorated with fish swimming amongst weeds is illustrated in Mayuyama Seventy Years, vol. 1, Tokyo, 1976, pl. 919 and another fish basin was exhibited in Ming Underglaze Blue and Wucai Ware, Osaka Fine Arts, Joint Trade Union, Osaka, 1963, cat.no. 29.