A BLUE AND WHITE 'DRAGON AND PHOENIX' BASIN WANLI MARK AND PERIOD

robustly potted in hexafoil section with deep rounded sides rising from a flat base to a broad everted rim, finely painted in bright cobalt-blue tones with a five-clawed dragon and a phoenix amidst stylised ruyi clouds in the centre, the lobed sides divided into six panels each with a dragon and a phoenix in pursuit of a flaming pearl, the rim repeated with the same subject, decorated to the exterior with the bajixiang emblems among floral scrolls below further floral scroll band, the base unglazed with a central circle glazed white and inscribed with the six-character Wanli reign mark in underglaze blue

There is two areas of restoration to two adjacent lobes (11cm and 5cm respectively) as well as a circa 6.5cm hairline crack at the everted rim. There are various firing cracks (circa 2-5cm) running from the outer base of the basin, including a circa 6cm firing crack which goes through the walls into the inner curvetto. The basin has extensive minor surface scratchings and several glaze cracks particularly to the central medallion. Traces of kiln grits are visible around the base of the basin. There are also other glaze firing imperfections such as iron spots, blisters and burst glaze bubbles etc.
"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."

Six-lobed basins decorated with a dragon and phoenix in underglaze blue are rare; compare examples adorned with a single dragon amongst floral scrolls, such as one from the Chang Foundation illustrated in Selected Ceramics from Han to Qing Dynasties, Taipei, 1990, pl. 104; and another formerly in the Jingguantang Collection, sold in these rooms, 17^th November 1999, lot 746.

Wanli basins of this form and design were also produced in wucai enamels; one is illustrated in Chinese Ceramics in the Idemitsu Collection, Tokyo, 1987, pl. 753; another from Tokyo National Museum is published in Oriental Ceramics. The World's Great Collections, vol. 11, Tokyo, 1982, col. pl. 77; and a third example was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 29^th September 1992, lot 485.

Compare also Wanli basins of this type decorated with various designs, but of pentafoil form; for example one depicting fish amongst reeds is illustrated in Mayuyama. Seventy Years, vol. 1, Tokyo, 1976, pl. 919; another decorated with a mythical beast and other auspicious animals was sold in these rooms, 1^st April 1974, lot 204; and a basin painted with a dragon and flower scrolls, was sold several times at auction and most recently in our Hong Kong rooms, 11^th April 2008, lot 2936.