明萬曆 青花嬰戲圖盤 《大明萬曆年製》款

the shallow rounded sides resting on a short tapered foot, the interior centred with a medallion enclosing a scene of a group of six boys joyfully playing in a fenced garden laden with jagged rockwork and floral blooms, including one boy depicted riding a hobby horse and another holding a long lotus stem, the background with a stylised mountainscape, surrounded by a band enclosing four five-clawed dragons soaring sinuously and chasing 'flaming pearls', the exterior with four lobed cartouches alternating with large floral blooms, the cartouches enclosing scenes of birds and florettes borne on gnarled branches, the base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character reign mark within a double-circle

The dish is in good condition except for a number of tiny natural firing burst bubbles, fritting and associated flakes. There are also a few iron spots to the right side of the centre, as illustrated. There is a cluster of firing grits to the interior of the foot.
"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."

Large dishes painted with this charming motif of boys playing in a fenced garden are unusual although a closely related dish, from the Songde Tang collection, was included in the exhibition The Fame of Flame. Imperial Wares of the Jiajing and Wanli Period, Art Gallery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 2009, pl. 89; and another was sold in these rooms, 14th November 1989, lot 39. See also a dish of similar size and decoration, but painted on the well with a lotus pond motif, from the Sir Percival David collection and now in the British Museum, London, included in the Museum’s exhibition Ceramic Evolution in the Middle Ming Period, London, 1994, cat. no. 55; and another sold in these rooms, 2nd August 1979, lot 119.