PERIOD: 17
A BLUE AND WHITE 'DRAGON' DISH WANLI MARK AND PERIOD with shallow rounded sides and flared rim, the well of the interior painted in bright cobalt-blue with a large central medallion of two five-clawed dragons in mutual pursuit of a 'flaming pearl' among clouds and flames, the motif repeated on the cavetto, the exterior painted with scrolling lotus, all above a slightly tapered foot, six-character mark within a double-circle to the base Wanli mark and period 'Dragon' dishes of this design are known in a variety of sizes. Compare a larger dish in the Idemtisu Museum of Arts, Tokyo, illustrated in Chinese Ceramics in the Idemitsu Collection, 1987, pl. 725, sold in these rooms, 4th June 1982, lot 188; and a smaller one from the Hay and Riesco collections, included in the Oriental Ceramic Society exhibition Ming Blue and White Porcelain, London, 1946, cat.no. 78, sold in our London rooms, 25th June 1946, lot 50, and again 23rd June 1970, lot 61. 24.8cm
PRIX: $35000
