A CARVED QIANGJIN LACQUER 'DRAGON' DISH MARK AND PERIOD OF WANLI, DATED TO THE YIWEI YEAR (IN ACCORDANCE WITH 1595)

of circular form, the shallow rounded sides supported on a recessed base, finely incised and gilt on the interior in the qiangjin technique with a five-clawed dragon reaching for a 'flaming pearl' among ruyi-shaped clouds above jagged rocks battered by crashing waves, its ferocious head, twisted body and serrated spine picked out in black and ochre enamels, all reserved on a diaper ground detailed with wan symbols and enclosed within a barbed medallion surrounded by the 'Eight Treasures', further encircled around the cavetto by a continuous scroll of foliate lotus, the underside similarly decorated with a scroll of camellia borne on a continuous foliate stem enameled in black with gilt details, the base lacquered in black and dated with an incised eight-character reign mark in gilt

There is some extensive age crackes to the interior and on the underside with a section slightly lifting on the interior at the level of the dragon's head (can be secured). Otherwise the dish is in good condition.
"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."

A dish of this type bearing the same inscription and depicting a similar scene of a dragon against a wan diaper ground, was included in the exhibition East Asian Lacquer. The Florence and Herbert Irving Collection, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1991, cat. no. 50; another was sold in these rooms, 10^th April 2006, lot 1714; and a third, dated in accordance with AD 1592 and with the dragon rendered against a diaper ground, included in the exhibition Jurokuseiki no bijutsu [Art in the sixteenth century], Osaka Municipal Art Museum, Osaka, 1988, cat. no. 244, was sold in these rooms, 27^th April 2003, lot 291.

For a description of the qiangjin technique see the note to lot 159 in this sale.