A BLUE AND WHITE ‘SCHOLAR’ DISH WANLI MARK AND PERIOD

the rounded sides rising from a tapering foot, painted to the interior with a central medallion enclosing a scholar seated on a riverbank of a landscape with his attendant behind, all encircled by dragons and phoenixes in flight amongst ruyi clouds in pursuit of flaming pearls, the exterior with six detached flowering and fruiting sprays, inscribed to the base with a six-character mark within a double-circle

Collection of Captain Charles Oswald Liddell.
Sotheby's London, 29th June 1944, lot 1.
Bluett & Sons, London, 4th July 1944.
Collection of Mrs O. Harriman.

Nottingham Castle Museum Loan, HHL217, ca. 1989-2012.

The dish is in very good condition with the exception of minor frits to the edge of the rim, minor glaze firing imperfections including burst glaze bubbles and very light glaze scratches.
"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."

The present piece belongs to a small group of blue and white Wanli mark and period dishes, of different size and figural scenes on the interior but the rim decorated with the same 'dragon and phoenix' design band. See two dishes of this size and decoration, one from the collection of the late R.E.R. Luff, sold at Christie's London, 16th April 1985, lot 256; and the other also sold at Christie's London, 14th December 1987, lot 196. 

Compare also two dishes of larger proportions from this group, one from the collection of Christina Loke Balsara, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 19th January 1988, lot 257; another, from the Jingguantang collection, sold at Christie's New York, 16th September 1998, lot 366. Another larger dish of this type, painted with two warriors, one on horseback and the other standing by a riverbank, from the Beijing Yishu Bowuguan (Beijing Museum of Art), is illustrated in Zhongguo taoci quanji, vol. 12, Shanghai, 2000, pl. 192.