A PAIR OF YELLOW-GROUND UNDERGLAZE-BLUE 'PEACH' DISHES SEAL MARKS AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG

each well potted with shallow sides rising from a tapered foot to a slightly everted rim, the exterior decorated in underglaze blue with a continuous band of of trefoil leaves and floral blooms issuing from intertwining stems, the interior centred with a medallion enclosing nine peaches borne in clusters on gnarled leafy branches, the base inscribed with a six-character seal mark, all against a vibrant lemon-yellow ground 

Sir Thomas Fermor-Hesketh, 8th Bt., later 1st Baron Hesketh (1881-1944).
Christie's Hong Kong, 30th May 2006, lot 1245.

One dish has a few retouched rim flakes, with the largest measuring approx. 1.5 cm. The other has an enamel flake of approx. 0.8 by 0.2 cm to the outer rim, in addition to a small polished burst bubble to the interior. The pair also has some areas of slight discolouration, typical minor crackles to the enamel and expected surface 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."

Dishes of this type are held in important private and museum collections worldwide, including one in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Blue and White Ware of the Ch’ing Dynasty, vol. 2, Hong Kong, 1968, pl. 29; another in the Nanjing Museum, Nanjing, illustrated in The Official Kiln Porcelain of the Chinese Qing Dynasty, Shanghai, 2003, pl. 221; and another from the Yokogawa collection, published in the Illustrated Catalogues of the Tokyo National Museum. Chinese Ceramics II, Tokyo, 1965, pl. 625. See also a pair of yellow ground dishes painted with this design, from the T.Y. Chao collection, included in the exhibition Ch’ing Porcelain from the Wah Kwong Collection, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1974, cat. no. 45, and sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 19th May 1987, lot 316.

For the prototype of this design, see a Yongzheng mark and period dish painted in underglaze blue with eight peaches, from the Percival David collection and now in the British Museum, London, illustrated in Oriental Ceramics. The World’s Great Collections, vol. 6, Tokyo, 1987, pl. 247.