A FINE BLUE AND WHITE 'LOTUS POND' SAUCER DISH MARK AND PERIOD OF YONGZHENG

the shallow sides springing from a countersunk base enclosed by an unglazed footring, finely painted with soft washes of cobalt-blue within pencilled borders, the centre with a medallion enclosing a pair of mandarin ducks swimming amidst lotus flower pads and slender aquatic grasses, the underside with a matching frieze of four ducks swimming across gently rippling water between lotus sprays, all below a band of six dragons pursuing 'flaming pearls' at the rim, the base inscribed with the six-character mark within a double-circle  

A Private Japanese Collection.

The dish is in very good condition. There is a tiny pinprick to one lotus flower on the interior, and a small ironspot near the foot.
"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 very similar dish from the T.Y. Chao Collection and illustrated in Exhibition of Ch'ing Porcelain from the Wah Kwong Collection, Hong Kong, 1973, cat.no.90, was sold in these rooms, 19th May 1987, lot 268.  Compare a similar dish sold in these rooms, 1st November 1999, lot 381; and another sold in these rooms, 7th May 2002, lot 590.  See also a Yongzheng dish with a different interpretation of the same design, included in the exhibition The Wonders of the Potter's Palette, Hong Kong Museum of Art, 1984, cat. no. 41 (one of a pair).

The design of lotus and mandarin ducks symbolises the wish for a harmonious marriage and the birth of illustrious sons. This auspicious scene was revived again during the Qing dynasty in the doucai colour scheme. The Qing design seems to have been considered a Chenghua pattern, as Qing examples exist with a spurious Chenghua mark.

Also compare the doucai version of this pattern, a pair formerly in the Collection of Edward T. Chow, sold in these rooms, 19th May 1981, lot 550; and another pair from the T.Y. Chao Collection, sold in these rooms, 19th May 1987, lot 268.