A PAIR OF BLUE AND WHITE 'RUYI' DISHES MARKS AND PERIOD OF JIAJING

each painted on the interior in deep tones of cobalt underglaze-blue with a central medallion of interlocking ruyi-heads and lotus buds enclosed within double-line borders repeated at the rim, the underside with stylised lotus sprays and pendant clouds divided by a zigzag band

Sotheby's New York, 15th June 1983, lot 280.
Collection of Eugene O. Perkins.
Christie's New York, 2nd June 1989, lot 14.
Christie's Hong Kong, 23rd March, 1993, lot 719.

To one dish, there is a restored rim chip of approx 1 by 0.5cm. Otherwise the pair of dishes are in very good condition, apart from light surface scratches to the interior. The cobalt-blue of one dish has been fired to slightly darker colour than the other.
"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."

It is most unusual to find dishes of this design, which is based on a Chenghua prototype, of Jiajing mark and period. For a Chenghua dish see The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Blue and White Porcelain with Underglazed Red (II), Shanghai, 2000, pl.19.