A rare polychrome yellow-ground 'dragon' dish. Wanli mark and period

A rare polychrome yellow-ground 'dragon' dish. Wanli mark and period

the rounded sides rising from a short foot to a slightly everted rim, freely enamelled to the interior in aubergine, turquoise, green and black with a medallion enclosing two scaly dragons writhing amidst clouds above rocks and foaming waves, encircled in the well by six dragon roundels and all reserved on a rich egg-yolk yellow ground, the exterior with leafy fruit and flower sprays. 26cm., 10 1/4 in. Est. 4,000—6,000 GBP - Unsold

NOTE: A closely related example, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, is illustrated in Enamelled Ware of the Ming Dynasty, book III, Hong Kong, 1966, pl. 19; another, in the Sir Percival David collection, in the British Museum, London, is published in Margaret Medley, Illustrated Catalogue of Ming Polychrome Wares, London, 1978, pl. IX, fig. 101; and a pair of dishes was sold at Christie's London, 11^th June 1990, lot 199.

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