A YELLOW-GLAZED SAUCER DISH MARK AND PERIOD OF JIAJING |

with shallow rounded sides rising from a short foot to a slightly everted rim, applied overall with an even yellow glaze of rich egg-yolk tone, the base left white and inscribed in underglaze blue with a reign mark within a double rectangle

Collection of Hans Öström, Stockholm.
Collection of Emil Hultmark (1872-1943), and thence by descent in the family.

Emil Hultmarks Samling [Emil Hultmark Collection], Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts, Stockholm, 1942, cat. no. 448.

In overall good condition. There is a hairline crack at the rim (approx. 2cm), showing on the catalogue illustration (approx. 9 o'clock on the photo), and another tiny hairline (approx. 0.5cm) showing at 7 o'clock on the photo. some surface wear to the interior. With light surface scratches and typical minor firing imperfections, including minor glaze shrinkage to the underside.
"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."

Yellow-glazed porcelains, with and without decoration, had a special standing in China among the imperial wares, since yellow was the emperor's colour. They were produced throughout the imperial era, whenever imperial porcelains were commissioned by the court. Several examples of yellow-glazed porcelains from the Jiajing reign are preserved in the collections of the Palace Museum in Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Monochrome Porcelain, Hong Kong, 1999, pls 42-45. However, none bear a six-character reign mark enclosed in a double rectangle as found on the present piece, which appears to be a rare mark. For other examples of Jiajing porcelains inscribed with a reign mark within a double rectangle, usually of small hand palm size and mostly doucai wares, in the Taipei Palace Museum, see Minji meihin zuroku [Illustrated catalogue of important Ming porcelains], vol. 2, Tokyo, 1978 nos 40, 41 and 44.