金 定窰犀牛望月紋盤

decorated with a 'rhinoceros' surrounded by breaking waves and clouds, its head turned gazing at the crescent moon, the well divided by short ribs into narrow flutes falling short of the unglazed rim, all under a creamy white glaze

香港蘇富比1976年11月29日，拍品編號421

There are scattered iron spots to the interior, and two on the exterior, otherwise in good overall condition.
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.

The motif depicted on the present dish is usually found on ceramics from the Jin dynasty, and recalls an old legend of the rhinoceros gazing at the moon while the peculiar structure within its horn is formed.

Another 'ding' dish with identical design is illustrated in Jan Wirgin, Sung Ceramic Designs, Stockholm, 1972, pl. 101a, where the author notes that at the beginning of the Song dynasty, two different conceptions of the rhinoceros were developed, one realistic, and one mythical. The realistic rhinoceros does not appear as a design on Song ceramics and the one we see depicted here is clearly used as a mythical motif where it took its inspiration from literary sources (pp. 196-197).  Berthold Laufer in his essay on the history of the rhinoceros in China published in Chinese Clay Figures, Chicago, 1914, pp. 73-173, notes that authors in the eighth century often discuss the rhinoceros being associated with water, and in later representations it is often seen surrounded by waves as exemplified in the design on the present dish.