A FINE AND RARE DOUCAI 'IMMORTALS' DISH YONGZHENG MARK AND PERIOD

the shallow rounded sides rising from a short tapered foot to an everted rim, the interior painted with a roundel depicting immortals descending on iron-red clouds to a pavilion resting on rolling waves and surrounded by billowing clouds and two flying cranes, the reverse painted with numerous bats flying amongst waves and rockwork, the base with a six-character mark in underglaze blue within a double circle

Christie's New York, 23rd March 2012, lot 2014 (one of a pair).

The dish is in very good condition with the exception of some burst glaze bubbles to the interior and some light glaze 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."

Doucai dishes of this design are unusual although a closely related example in the Tianjin Museum, Tianjin, is illustrated in Tianjin shi yizhu bowuguan cang ci [Porcelains from the Tianjin Municipal Museum], Hong Kong, 1993, pls 159 and 160; another from the Gulland bequest in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, is published in W.B. Honey, Chinese Porcelain, London, 1927, pl. 86a; a third is included in Sekai tōji zenshū/ Ceramic Art of the World, vol. 15, Tokyo, 1983, pl. 191; and a fourth dish in the Städtisches Völkermuseum, Frankurt, is illustrated in R. Schmidt, Chinesisches Keramik, Frankfurt am Main, 1923, pl. 22e. Another pair of dishes of this design was sold in our New York rooms, 23rd September 1997, lot 359.