A LARGE AND RARE 'DOUCAI' 'DRAGON AND PHOENIX' DISH YONGZHENG MARK AND PERIOD

the deep rounded sides rising from a slightly tapering foot to a wide everted rim, enamelled with a dragon and phoenix in pursuit of a flaming pearl amid stylised cloud wisps, all encircled by paired lotus blossoms enclosing shou character roundels borne on meandering leafy stems, the rim with a band of stylised ruyi clouds, the exterior with bats hovering above lingzhi sprays issuing from rocks above a bed of cresting waves, inscribed to the base with a six-character Yongzheng mark within a double circle

This large and impressive dish has been restored at the rim and well following clean breaks (circa 72 x 11cm), two hairline body cracks to the well (2.3cm., and 5cm.), minor glaze firing imperfections includes burst glaze bubbles, iron spots etc., and glaze scratches predominantly to the dragon medallion.
"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."

Visually commanding for the dense design of a dragon and phoenix amongst clouds covering a large form, the present dish is a magnificent example of the technical proficiency of craftsmen employed at the Imperial kilns in Jingdezhen. The creative ingenuity of the Yongzheng potter is evident in the perfectly positioned and spaced elements of the design so that, despite its dense composition, attention is cleverly drawn to the central dragon and phoenix.

A closely related dish in the Palace Museum, Beijing, is published in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Porcelains in Polychrome and Contrasting Colours, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 217; another from the Yokogawa collection is included in the Illustrated Catalogue of Tokyo National Museum. Chinese Ceramics II, Tokyo, 1990, pl. 639; and another was included in the exhibition Chugoku toji ten, Seikado Bunko Art Museum, Tokyo, 1992, cat. no. 50. Further examples include two sold in these rooms, 6^th December 1994, lot 203, and 10^th July 1979, lot 170; and another sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 3^rd May 1994, lot 702.

The polychrome palette known as doucai flourished during the Chenghua period (1465-87) and was revived under the Yongzheng emperor. The designs were drawn out in underglaze blue and filled in with polychrome washes of red, green, yellow and aubergine enamels which resulted in visually attractive wares.