A BLUE AND WHITE 'LOTUS BOUQUET' DISH MING DYNASTY, 15TH CENTURY

the rounded sides rising from a tapered foot to a lipped rim, painted in the centre in vivid tones of cobalt-blue with a lotus bouquet of thin lotus stalks, arrowhead, pondweed and millet tied together with a ribbon, enclosed on the cavetto with a composite floral scroll of camellia, chrysanthemum, lotus and peony, all below a classic scroll band, the exterior painted with a similar composite scroll between a keyfret border at the rim and a classic scroll band at the base, the unglazed base fired to a buff tone with russet spots

In very good general condition. Minor surface wear and scratches; minute burst air bubbles to rim.
"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 closely related example is illustrated in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, vol. II, London, 1994, pl. 665; two dishes are inluded in John Alexander Pope, Chinese Porcelains from the Ardebil Shrine, Washington, 1956, pls 29.16-17; another, from the collection of His Excellency Henri Beduwe, Belgian Ambassador to Lebanon, was sold in these rooms, 15th April 1980, lot 235; and a fifth dish was sold twice at Christie's Hong Kong, 28th October 2002, lot 691, and again, 1st December 2010, lot 2803, from the Greenwald collection.

 

Compare also dishes of this decoration, but of larger size, such as one illustrated in Porcelain of the National Palace Museum. Blue-and-White Ware of the Ming Dynasty, bk. 2, pt. II, Hong Kong, 1963, pl. 59; and another included in the exhibition Chinese Porcelain, The S.C. Ko Tianminlou Collection, pt. 1, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1987, cat. no. 10.