A FINE BLUE AND WHITE 'FLOWERS' DISH MING DYNASTY, YONGLE PERIOD

the shallow lobed sides rising from a small tapered foot to an everted rim barbed with twelve bracket-lobes, painted in deep cobalt blue with intense 'heaping and piling', the slightly recessed foliate centre decorated with six large blooms wreathed by scrolling foliage including lotus, chrysanthemum, mallow, camellia and possibly carnation surrounding a central lotus, the lobed cavetto further decorated with twelve composite floral scrolls positioned in pairs across the dish except for a lotus placed opposite a peony, under a band of crested waves at the rim, the exterior similarly painted with a variety of finely detailed floral sprays between a double line encircling the foot and two fillets outlining the rim, the recessed base left unglazed   

An old Japanese collection.

The overall condition is very good save for a minor 3 mm glaze gap inside the dish (showing in the illustration in the catalogue), light surface scratches and a couple of tiny specks.
"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."

Two dishes of this design are in the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, Stockholm, illustrated in Jan Wirgin, Chinese Ceramics from the Axel and Nora Lundgren Bequest, Stockholm, 1978, pl. 27, no. 25, and in Oriental Ceramics. The World's Great Collections, vol. 8, Tokyo, 1982, pl. 216, from the Swedish Royal Collection. See also a similar dish in the Percival David Foundation, London, included in op. cit., vol. 6, Tokyo, 1982, pl. 76; another in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, included in the Special Exhibition of Early Ming Porcelains, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1982, cat. no. 38; and one from the collection of the Ottoman Sultans published in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics in the Topkapi Saray Museum, Istanbul, vol. 2, London, 1986, pl. 601. A comparable example sold in our Paris rooms, 12th June 2008, lot 332.