明十五 / 十六世紀 青花牡丹奇石紋菱口盤

the deep rounded sides supported on a tapering foot, the central medallion painted in varied cobalt-blue tones with four large peony blooms amid leafy bushes emerging from craggy rockwork within a classic scroll border, the well encircled with a band of camellia issuing leaves between double circles, the everted bracket-lobed rim with a scrolling band, the exterior with flowering peonies bordered by bands of classic scroll and fan-pattern, the base unglazed

1970及80年代入藏

The dish with a restored break through the middle extending to associated breaks to the rim at either end. There is one large and several small chips to the foot ring. There is extensive fritting to the rim and at the top of the cavetto. The interior with wear and speckled with adhered kiln grit. The blue is slightly paler than the catalogue image and the surface has been polished overall.
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.

Dishes of large size and depth, such as the present example, would have been particularly valued by wealthy buyers from the Middle-East during the 15th and 16th centuries as the ample form suited the prevailing custom for communal dining.

Compare two dishes in the Topkapi Saray Museum of the same pattern but of saucer shape illustrated in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics in the Topkapi Saray Museum, Istanbul, cat. II, London, 1986, cat. nos. 724 and 725; the latter also illustrated in Soame Jenyns, Chinese Art, London, 1964-66, pl. 53b and Sekai toji zenshu, vol. 14, Tokyo, 1976, p. 229, fig. 5 (II). Another dish painted with a very similar design but with a peacock perched on the rockwork preserved in the Ardebil Shrine, Iran, and illustrated ibid, no. 717. A nearly identical dish was sold in our Hong Kong rooms 5th November 1996, lot 680. A similar dish but with a straight rim sold in our London rooms 9th November 2011, lot 160.