A LARGE DOUCAI 'DRAGON AND PHOENIX' CHARGER MARK AND PERIOD OF YONGZHENG |

the rounded sides rising from a tapered foot to an everted rim, decorated in the centre with a phoenix and writhing dragon in mutual pursuit of a 'flaming pearl' amid multi-coloured cloud scrolls, the cavetto with a leafy lotus scroll, each flower with a shou character medallion, the everted lipped rim with a band of clouds, the underside with jagged rocks sprouting lingzhi fungus emerging from crested waves below soaring bats, the base inscribed with a six-character reign mark within a double circle

Sotheby’s London, 6th December 1994, lot 203.

The dish had been broken and restored, with the rim largely overpainted. There are associated cracks to the cavetto concentrating on one side. Some minor glaze crackles and enamel wear.
"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."

Visually commanding for the dense design of a dragon and phoenix amongst clouds covering a large form, the present charger is a magnificent example of the technical proficiency of craftsmen employed at the Imperial kilns in Jingdezhen. The creative ingenuity of the Yongzheng potter is evident in the perfectly positioned and spaced elements of the design so that, despite its dense composition, attention is cleverly drawn to the central dragon and phoenix. A closely related charger in the Palace Museum, Beijing, is published in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Porcelains in Polychrome and Contrasting Colours, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 217; another from the Yokogawa collection is included in the Illustrated Catalogue of Tokyo National Museum. Chinese Ceramics II, Tokyo, 1990, pl. 639; and another was included in the exhibition Chugoku toji ten, Seikado Bunko Art Museum, Tokyo, 1992, cat. no. 50. Another sumptuous dish of this type sold in our London rooms 11th May 2011, lot 220. Further examples include a charger sold in these rooms 10th July 1979, lot 170 and another sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 3rd May 1994, lot 702.