A RARE AND LARGE BLUE AND WHITE 'WATER DRAGON' BASIN JIAJING MARK AND PERIOD

the wide tall sides boldly painted in deep underglaze-blue on the exterior with two prominent scaly five-clawed dragons striding among various water plants, including lotus and lotus pods, clover fern, water polyps and seaweed, the interior glazed white

There is a crack running from the rim down about 6 inches into the body, beside one dragon head. There are two further haircracks in the glaze (only visible on the interior) each running down from the rim approximately 3 inches. There is extensive bubbling to the glaze overall, many of the bubbles have burst and are dirty. There are minor firing related hair cracks visible on the exterior running horizontal to the foot, one is 1 1/4 inches up from the foot and the other is 4 inches up from the foot. Each runs part way around the body. There are some fine scratches and wear to the exterior, the interior glaze is heavily abraded, consistent with heavy use. There are firing tears visible under the base, they do not extend through to the interior base.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This basin is unusual for its animated design of dragons amongst water plants and no other example appears to have been published. Compare a slightly larger basin of this form, but decorated with dragons pursuing flaming pearls amidst clouds, included in the exhibition Selected Ceramics from the Collection of Mr. & Mrs. Hu, Shanghai Museum, Shanghai, 1989, cat. no. 21; one sold at Christie's New York, 19th September 2006, lot 252; and another, painted with dragons among scrolling lotus, from the Palmer Museum of Art, The Pennsylvania State University, Philadelphia, sold in these rooms, 23rd March 2004, lot 640. Basins of this type, painted with winged dragons pursuing flaming pearls above waves and rocks are also known; see one in the Art Gallery of New South Wales, included in the exhibition Chinese Ceramics, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 1965, cat. no. 29; and another sold in our London rooms, 31st May 1989, lot 82.

For a small Jiajing jar, with reign mark and of the period, similarly decorated with dragons and water plants between a ruyi collar encircling the shoulder and a band of petal lappets around the base, see one sold in our London rooms, 13th June 1989, lot 218.