A 'FAMILLE-VERTE' LOBED WASHER MARK AND PERIOD OF KANGXI

of sturdily potted decalobed form with curved shallow sides, finely painted in bright 'famille-verte' enamels to the centre with a ferocious dragon writhing amid turbulent crested waves and a carp leaping from below, the lobed sides on both interior and exterior decorated with further stormy rolling waves crashing against rockwork emitting foam and spray, the base unglazed with a central circle glazed white and inscribed with the six-character mark in underglaze-blue

Collection of Edward T. Chow.

There is a small chip to just above the base of approx 0.3 by 0.3cm, and two small shallow chips to the base which have been lightly retouched, the larger approx 0.8 by 0.3cm. There are light surface scratches to the interior. Otherwise the washer is in good condition overall.
"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."

Lobed washers with this subject are rare, although the same design can be seen on a blue and white basin sold in these rooms, 23rd October 1995, lot 347.  Other pieces with this subject can be found on in the Beijing Palace Museum, and illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Blue and White Porcelain with Underglaze Red III, Shanghai, 2000, pl. 54. 

Washers of this form are found in different glazes, including a clair-de-lune washer in the Shanghai Museum, illustrated in Kangxi Porcelain Wares, Shanghai Museum, 1998, cat.no. 217.

Dragons and carp represent the legend of the carp who swim upstream to spawn every year and must pass the narrow Dragon's Gate.  Those that are able to leap over the passage will become dragons. It represents a wish for success especially for a civil servant.