A RARE DOUCAI 'IMMORTALS' DISH MARK AND PERIOD OF YONGZHENG |

well potted with shallow rounded sides resting on a gently tapered foot, the interior decorated with a central medallion enclosing a celestial scene of four Daoist immortals en route to the palace of the Isles of the Blessed emerging from multi-coloured clouds, depicting Xi Wangmu, the Queen Mother of the West, standing on stylised iron-red cloud swirls, with an attendant behind her, and the Three Star Gods similarly gathered and standing on cloud swirls below, all against tempestuous waves, the ethereal scene further adorned with two cranes in flight, the reverse superbly painted in iron red with bats soaring amidst ruyi clouds, against densely rendered green-enamelled waves outlined in underglaze blue and interrupted with jagged rockwork, the base centred with a six-character reign mark within a double circle

Sotheby's New York, 23rd September 1997, lot 359 (one of a pair).

It is in overall very good condition with a short glaze line and several tiny polished grits to the exterior. There are expected light scratches, especially to the interior.
"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."

This dish encapsulates to not only the great developments in porcelain production during the Yongzheng period but also the Emperor’s keen patronage, as well as his interest in Daoism. The Yongzheng Emperor was a firm believer in portents of good fortune and this can perhaps be attributed to the fact that he ascended the throne under rather nebulous circumstances with the legitimacy of his throne disputed. For the Yongzheng Emperor’s affiliation with Daoism, see two paintings in the collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing, the first The Yongzheng Emperor Dressed as a Daoist, illustrated in Harmony and Integrity. The Yongzheng Emperor and His Times, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 2009, cat. no. I-75; the second A Life Portrait of the Yongzheng Emperor, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Paintings by the Court Artists of the Qing Court, Hong Kong, 1996, pl. 18.

The design on the current dish is unusual and only a few examples appear to be recorded, including one in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, museum no. 695-1907; another illustrated in Porcelains from the Tianjin Municipal Museum, Hong Kong, 1993, pls 159 and 160; a third example illustrated in Sekai tōji zenshū/Ceramic Art of the World, vol. 15: Qing, Tokyo, 1983, p. 174, no. 191; a pair sold at Christie’s New York, 23rd March 2012, lot 234; and one sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 29th November 2017, lot 2810, from the Dr James D. Thornton collection.