A BLUE AND WHITE DISH JIAJING MARK, DATED XINYOU YEAR, CORRESPONDING TO 1561

painted to the interior with a central medallion enclosing three birds perched on a peony shrub, framed by a border of six flying cranes at the well, interspersed by clouds, the underside with the 'Three Friends' of pine, prunus and bamboo, all in deep cobalt-blue, the base with a rectangular cartouche enclosing an eight-character inscription reading Jiajing xinyou jinshen jiaqi, Japanese wood box (3)

With minor firing imperfections and minor wear throughout. At the tree's root and on two of the flower buds there are patches of abrasions. The foot ring has old nicks and very minor old flake losses.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Compare an almost identical dish, also dated by inscription to 1561, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 20th May 1986, lot 24. A blue and white bowl with a six-character Jiajing mark dated to the same year in the collection of the Shanghai Museum is illustrated in Wang Qingzheng, Underglaze Blue & Red, Hong Kong, 1993, pl. 98. See also a blue and white guan dated by inscription to the fortieth year of Jiajing, corresponding to 1561, formerly in the Riesco Collection, illustrated in Sheila Riddell, Dated Chinese Antiques 600-1650, London, 1979, pl. 71 and subsequently sold in our London rooms, 11th December 1984, lot 322.