A DOUCAI 'DRAGON AND PHOENIX' DISH KANGXI MARK AND PERIOD |

well potted with wide rounded sides rising from a slightly tapered foot, brightly painted on the interior with a large green-enameled five-clawed dragon writhing among clouds beside a 'flaming pearl', all saturated in vivid colors within a double-line border and below a single line at the rim, the exterior similarly decorated with an underglaze blue five-clawed dragon striding in pursuit of a 'flaming pearl' behind a serrated-tailed phoenix among clouds, all above green crested waves and between a double-line borders encircling the foot and rim, the base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character mark within a double circle

Chang Collection (according to label).
Marshall Field & Company, Chicago.
Collection of Hoyt Augustus Moore (1870-1958), and thence by descent.

The dish is in overall good condition. A few tiny pittings and firing imperfections to the interior, and two tiny burst glaze bubbles. Two small areas of residual glue from labels to the exterior, and two old labels adhered to the base. A few tiny nicks and kiln adhesions to the footring.
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.

Compare dishes with identical decoration, one in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Catalogue of the Special Exhibition of K'ang-hsi, Yung-cheng and Ch'ien-lung Porcelain Ware from the Ch'ing Dynasty in the National Palace Museum, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1986, pl. 22; one example was sold in these rooms, 23rd March 2004, lot 649; and one was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 7th July 2003, lot 664; and another was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 13th January 1987, lot 487.  See also examples of similar design but on a yellow-enameled ground, including a dish in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Porcelains in Polychrome and Contrasting Colours, Hong Kong, 1999, pl. 210; a dish sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 20th March 1990, lot 644; and a bowl decorated with a closely related design of dragon and phoenix on the exterior, illustrated in Kangxi Porcelain Wares from the Shanghai Museum Collection, Shanghai, 1998, pl. 160.