A LARGE GREEN AND AUBERGINE YELLOW GROUND 'DRAGON' CHARGER MARK AND PERIOD OF KANGXI

incised with two confronting dragons centred on a 'flaming pearl', bordered with various flowering plants in the cavetto including lotus, prunus, chrysanthemum and peony, the rim with a band of dragons striding through the flames, the underside with four further striding dragons below cranes and trailing clouds, all picked out in tones of green, aubergine and white outlined in black on a bright yellow ground

Sotheby's Hong Kong, 18th May 1988, lot 301.

The rim has a crescent-shaped piece-off of about 8.5 cm in length, from the head of the green dragon at 4 o'clock position to one-third of the aubergine dragon, covered by overpaint. Judging from the feathers of the cranes on the underside, some of the original pieces have probably been restuck. There is an associated hairline (approx. 10 cm) running from the rim at the end of the aubergine dragon, down to the interior medallion. The hairline develops into two extensions, one along the double circle (approx. 9.4 cm) which is also visible on the underside, while the other (approx. 6 cm), running from the double circle across the green dragon, which is only visible on the interior. There is another crescent-shaped restoration to the rim between the green and aubergine dragons (from 7:30 to 8:30, measuring about 13 cm) with some of the original pieces retained.
"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 similar charger, from the Hartog collection was included in the exhibition Tausend Jahre Chinesische Keramik, Museum fur Kunst unde Gewerbe, Hamburg, 1974, cat. no. 144; and another, formerly in the collection of Captain C. Oswald Liddell and later in the Tsui Museum of Art, was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 5th November 1997, lot 878. Compare also a closely related example sold in our New York rooms, 17th March 2009, lot 117, acquired from a German dealer before 1924, and thence by descent in the collection of Eva Lande.