A BLUE AND WHITE 'LOTUS' DISH MARK AND PERIOD OF WANLI

moulded in the form of an open lotus flower, with two tiers of scalloped petals rising from a short straight foot to a barbed rim, painted in rich cobalt tones, the interior centred with a Sanskrit character fo encircled within a double frieze of ruyi, the inner row of petals decorated with tassels and dots, the upper one with trefoiled swirls, the exterior with alternating Sanskrit characters and composite flower sprigs above a row of finely outlined projecting petal tips and a band of overlapping petals around the foot, the recessed base inscribed with the six-character reign mark within double circles in underglaze blue

The Manno Art Museum (no. 413).
Christie's Hong Kong, 28th October 2002, lot 529.

The dish is in good condition with the exception of an original body line to the side of one petal showing below the transparent glaze and extending on approx. 6.5 cm. inside the dish. There are some minor fritting/glaze chips on the tips of some of the flower petals forming the 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."

Compare a similar dish in The Baur Collection, Geneva, illustrated in John Ayers, Chinese Ceramics in the Baur Collection, Geneva, 1999, vol. I, p. 132, no. 79.