AN EXCEPTIONALLY LARGE WUCAI 'DRAGON' DISH MARK AND PERIOD OF WANLI

robustly potted and brightly enamelled to the interior with two dragons reaching for a 'flaming pearl' amidst flames and ruyi-shaped clouds, the cavetto similarly decorated with further pairs of confronted dragons, the exterior with large floral blooms borne on a meandering scroll, the base inscribed with a six-character reign mark 

The rim has a restored hairline of approx. 6.5 cm at 7 o'clock extending faintly over the foot and onto the base. There is another forked hairline of approx. 5 cm at 8 o'clock (the branch approx. 3.5 cm). The mouthrim also has some typical frittings with associated shallow flakes, including a filled-in flake of approx. 0.5 cm. The dish is slightly warped with some original firing imperfections, but the enamels have been exceptionally well preserved with only occasional wear and abrasions.
"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."

Vigorously painted with five-clawed dragons chasing flaming pearls, this dish is remarkable for its large size. Compare a similar unmarked dish of this, in the Idemitsu Museum of Arts, Tokyo, illustrated in Chinese Ceramics of the Idemitsu Collection, Tokyo, 1987, pl. 758. A slightly smaller Wanli mark and period dish of this design was sold in our London rooms, 9th June 1992, lot 245; and another was sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 7th October 2015, lot 3667.

This dragon motif is also found rendered in underglaze blue on Wanli mark and period dishes of similar proportions; see one in the Idemitsu Museum of Arts, Tokyo, illustrated in Chinese Ceramics of the Idemitsu Collection, ibid., pl. 725; and another, from the collection of Kwong Yee Che Tong, included in the exhibition The Fame of Flame. Imperial Wares of the Jaijing and Wanli Periods, Art Gallery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 2009, cat. no. 85.