A large cloisonné enamel 'dragon' dish. Ming dynasty, 17th century

A large cloisonné enamel 'dragon' dish. Ming dynasty, 17th century

the gently curved sides rising from a short spreading foot to an everted rim, brightly decorated to the interior with two large scaly dragons in mutual pursuit of a flaming pearl, all reserved on a fire and cloud scroll turquoise ground, the exterior and base with lotus scrolls. 39.8cm., 15 5/8 in. Est. 8,000—12,000 GBP.

PROVENANCE: From a private European collection acquired in the 1980's.

NOTE: The present cloisonne enamel dish is impressive for its magnificent size and for the deep and varied range of colours employed in its decoration. A closely related dish of slightly larger dimensions, from the Pierre Uldry collection, is published in Helmut Brinker and Albert Lutz, Chinesisches Cloisonne, Zurich, 1985, pl. 222. See also dish of similar form but decorated with the motif of dragon and phoenix in the same colour palette, illustrated in E.E. Bluett, 'Chinese Cloisonne in the Krolik Collection', Oriental Art, Winter 1965, p. 222, fig. 5, and sold in these rooms, 24th February 1970, lot 35.

Dishes of this type continue in the tradition of earlier Ming vessels, for example compare a Jiajing period dish with the dragon and phoenix design published in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Metal-bodied Enamel Ware, Hong Kong, 2002, pl. 46; and another Wanli period dish with the motif of interlocking sprays of camellia, ibid., pl. 48.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art. 13 May 09. London www.sothebys.com photo courtesy Sotheby's.