A RARE INCISED BARBED-RIM YELLOW-GLAZED DISH MARK AND PERIOD OF KANGXI

the shallow petal-shaped dish with fluted sides rising from a straight narrow foot to an everted barbed rim, finely incised on the interior with a five-clawed dragon en face among undulating waves with high crests and clouds above, surrounded by the four incised characters wan shou qi tian ('a myriad longevities, equal to heaven'), covered overall save for the base in an opaque pale yellow glaze, the base left white and inscribed with a six-character reign mark in underglaze blue

Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art, London (A 518).
Sotheby's London, 15th October 1968, lot 125.

Possibly: International Exhibition of Chinese Art, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1935, cat. no. 2721.

Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, London, 1994-2010, vol. 2, no. 896.

There is a faint 1 cm hairline crack located between 11 and 12 o'clock. The crack is barely visible and disappears into a glaze crackle. And apart from a few iron spots, the overall condition is very good with very crisp incising.
"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."

Another dish of this rare design, also from the Sir Percival David Collection is today in the British Museum, London, published in Illustrated Catalogue of Ming and Qing Monochrome Ware in the Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art, London, 1989, no. A 517. This dish was one of a pair included in the International Exhibition of Chinese Art, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1935, cat. no. 2721. It is therefore possible that the present dish was its companion piece in the exhibition at the time. Although Margaret Medley lists a pair of dishes, A 517 a and b, in the 1973 edition of the Foundation's Monochrome Ware catalogue, only one companion piece appears to be in the collection today. Another pair of similar dishes from the collection of the British Rail Pension Fund was sold in these rooms 16th May 1989, lot 45; and one from the collections of Paul Baerwald and Myron S. Falk was sold at Christie's New York, 16th October 2001, lot 152.