AN EXTREMELY RARE PAIR OF POLYCHROME-ENAMELED 'DRAGON' BOWLSQING DYNASTY, KANGXI PERIOD |

each with finely-potted rounded sides rising from a tapered foot to a gently everted rim, the exterior delicately enameled with two sinuous three-clawed dragons each pursuing a 'flaming pearl', each beast with a muscular chest and forearm and a serpentine tail issuing flame-like scrolls, the breath emitted in foliate wisps of qi, iron-red line borders at the rim and foot, the interior with a lotus medallion within an iron-red double circle, the base with an apocryphal Jiajing mark (2)

Collection of Stephen Junkunc, III (d. 1978). 

Each bowl is in overall good condition with only minor manufacturing imperfections and very minor expected wear (including minute frits at the rim, and some abrasion to the enamels).
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A small number of Jiajing marked polychrome-enameled saucers of related form are known. The first, painted with tree shrew and grapes, and the second with butterflies and rocks, both formerly in the collection of Henry C. Schwab were gifted to the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, in 1941, acc. nos 1941.561.1-2; another, painted with grapes, in the Percival David Collection at the British Museum, London, is illustrated in Illustrated Catalogue of Ming Polychrome Wares in the Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art, London, 1978, pl. 152, and like the present example, is attributed to the Kangxi period.