AN EXTREMELY LARGE BLUE AND WHITE 'BAJIXIANG' DISH SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG

robustly potted with shallow curved sides supported on a tapered foot rising to a flat rim, vividly painted in the centre with a stylised lotus enclosed by flying bats and florets, the cavetto decorated with beribboned bajixiang above lotus blossom scrolls, all within a continuous band of cresting waves at the rim, the underside with further bats hovering above turbulent waves crashing against rocks, encircling the countersunk base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character reign mark

Sotheby's Hong Kong, 29^th April 1992, lot 139.

Min Chiu Society (according to label).

There is a flake-like chip of approx. 2 cm to the rim, which has been partially restuck with the originally pieces. There is also a chip of about 1 cm to the footrim. Apart from some minor surface scratches, the overall condition is good for its size.
"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."

The present dish is impressive for it large size and carefully composed design, and no other example of this type appears to have been published. For the prototype of this dish see a slightly larger example with a similarly composed design on a yellow ground, with a Yongzheng reign mark and of the period, sold in these rooms, 20^th November 1985, lot 156.

The bajixiang originated in India and came into China with the introduction of Tibetan Buddhism in the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368), and was immediately incorporated into the decorative arts. During the early seventeenth century these Buddhist symbols became integrated with Daoist symbols and came to share the same meaning of longevity. The combination of the bajixiang resting on lotus flowers and the interlocking scrolls derives from the blue and white palace bowls and stemcups of the Chenghua dynasty (1465-87); for example, see a stemcup included in the exhibition A Legacy of Chenghua. Imperial Porcelain of the Chenghua Reign Excavated from Zhushan, Jingdezhen, Tsui Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1993, cat. no. C52.