A PAIR OF DOUCAI 'LOTUS' DISHES MARKS AND PERIOD OF YONGZHENG

each finely potted with shallow rounded sides, the interior vividly painted with a central medallion of a stylised lotus bloom in brilliant iron-red encircled by a crown of foliage formed by interlocking fern-green ruyi-heads, all enclosed within double-line borders repeated at the rim, the reverse with a border of detached lotus blooms interspersed by elaborate tied sprays of foliage

Sotheby's Hong Kong, 24th November 1987, lot 157.

To one dish there are three minute pin pricks with one with 2cm firing stains beneath the glaze on the rim. The interior has a couple of light glaze scratches and 2 glaze pulls on the exterior near the joint to the foot. The other dish has 2 minute pin pricks on the interior and 2 dirty pin pricks on the exterior. The base has a couple minor pinholes. The enamelling is very good on both dishes and the overall condition is very good for both dishes.
"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."

A Yongzheng dish of this size and pattern, in the National Palace Museum, Taiwan, is included in the Illustrated Catalogue of Ch'ing Dynasty Porcelain, vol.1, Tokyo, 1980, pl. 92; another in the Umezawa Kinenkan Museum, Tokyo, is illustrated in Yuzo Sugimura ed., Tôji taikei, vol. 46, Tokyo, 1973, pls. 61 and 62.  A similar dish from the Goldschmidt collection was sold in these rooms, 13th November 1990, lot 31.