A BLUE AND WHITE ‘IMMORTAL’ DISH MING DYNASTY, TIANQI PERIOD

the shallow rounded sides rising from a short tapered foot, freely painted to the interior with an immortal riding on a double gourd in a landscape under the moon, encircled by a band of cash coin at the rim, the exterior with birds perched on fruiting peach branches divided by circles, inscribed to the base with an apocryphal six-character Hongwu reign mark within a double circle

Dunt King, Hong Kong, 1960.
Bluett & Sons Ltd, London, 1960 (£12:10).
Collection of Roger Pilkington (1928-69), from 1962 (£21).

As visible in the catalogue photo, there is a 1cm shallow chip at the 8 o clock position. Another smaller 0.2cm chip to the 6 o clock position. Other general typical fritting to the rim, and minor surface wear. The porcelain is of a more delicate greyish-blue colour than in the catalogue photo, where it has emerged too bleached a white colour.
"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."

Compare a pair of dishes similarly painted to the exterior with birds perched on branches, from the collection of Robert and Ann Walker Bell and now in the Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art, Toronto, illustrated in Patricia F. Ferguson, Cobalt Treasures, Toronto, 2003, pl. 36; one from the collection of Charles Russell, published in R.L. Hobson, Chinese Ceramics in Private Collections, London, 1931, pl. 305; another from the collection of H.F. Parfitt, sold in our London rooms, 8th February 1946, lot 26; and two further dishes sold in these rooms, 1st December 1977, lot 430, and 27th May 1978, lot 467.