A rare large wucai 'dragon' dish Mark and period of Wanli

the slightly sunken interior painted in strong tones of the wucai palette with a blue and a red five-clawed dragon respectively ascending and plunging in pursuit of a 'flaming pearl' amid multi-coloured clouds, surrounded by four dragons in blue, red and green pacing around the well, all within line borders, the exterior with multi-coloured lotus flowers issuing from a green meandering stem, the wedge-shaped footring encircling the base

A Private Japanese Collection.

There are two hairline cracks on the dish - one at the 12 o'clock position (based on photo in catalogue) and the other at 7 o'clock. Both are about 4 cm in length. The rim has some fritting and nibbles along the outer edge, an old 1 cm chip to the foot and a 2 cm scratch to the glaze on the exterior. The interior has some natural light wear to the enameling. The overall condition is still quite good.
"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 rare to find wucai dishes of this pattern, although a closely related example was sold in our London rooms, 9^th June 1992, lot 245; and a smaller version was sold in these rooms, 18^th May 1982, lot 174. See a slightly larger dish of this type, but without reign mark, in the Idemitsu collection, illustrated in Chinese Ceramics of the Idemitsu Collection, Tokyo, 1987, pl. 758, together with a related blue-and-white dish, pl. 725. Compare also a Longqing dish with reign mark and of the period, decorated with a similar central dragon scene but with a plain well, in the British Museum, London, illustrated in Jessica Rawson, Chinese Ornament. The Lotus and the Dragon, London, 1990, pl. 5; and another sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 26^th April 1999, lot 548.