A Blue and White 'Chicken Head' Ewer, a Small 'Lotus' Jar and a 'Figure' Plate Ming Dynasty, 16th / 17th Century

the ewer with a compressed globular body surmounted by a short waisted neck and flared rim, set on one side with a spout shaped as a chicken head, opposite a handle modelled in the form a chicken's tail, decorated around the body with floral scrolls; the jarlet with an ovoid body rising to a short neck, the exterior decorated with leafy floral scrolls; the plate robustly potted with a flat base and flared sides, painted with a central medallion enclosing a standing figure holding a fan, surrounded by beribboned auspicious emblems, the base unglazed

There is a shallow flake 0.6cm on the rim of the dish at 3 o'clock, there are some surface scratches on the interior and a few expected minor imperfections in the glaze including an iron spot at 8 o'clock, some pinholes on the interior including a small glaze gap on the face of the central figure as shown in the catalogue illustration. The cobalt is a little faded, with slight contractions in the pigment as visible in the photo. Otherwise the dish is in good condition. The chicken head ewer is also generally in good condition with some fritting along the edge of the tail as well as the crest. There is a firing crack to the back of the head as well as other imperfections including an iron spot to the left of the tail and gaps in the glaze around the base, the largest 2 by 1 cm and another gap revealing the orange burnt biscuit to the right of the tail, measuring 0.5 cm. The small jarlet is overall in good condition with expected typical fritting on the interior rim as well as gaps in the glaze, predominantly on the interior and a few around the foot. There is some pitting to the surface glaze enclosing some brown accretions. The actual colour is somewhat paler and more vivid compared to the catalogue illustration.
"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."