A large and a pair of aubergine and green-enamelled yellow-ground 'dragon' dishes.Kangxi six-character marks

A large green and aubergine-enamelled yellow-ground 'dragon' dish. Kangxi six-character mark within a double circle and of the period (1662-1722). photo Christie's Ltd 2010

Decorated in green, aubergine and cream enamels, the interior with two scaly, five-clawed dragons contesting a flaming pearl amongst cloud and flames beneath a band of prunus, camellia, chrysanthemum, peony and lotus, the exterior decorated with similar dragons on the rounded sides - 12¾ in. (32.3 cm.) diam., fitted box. Estimate £60,000 - £80,000 ($88,200 - $117,600)

Notes: A similar example is illustated by R. Hobson in The Eumorfopoulos Collection, London, 1928, vol. V, pl. XXVIII, E. 199.

The design of this dish appears to be based on Wanli prototypes, such as the small dish (28.3cm.) decorated with a related design of two dragons contesting a flaming pearl above a rock and waves below flowering and fruiting sprigs in the well and painted on the biscuit in a similar palette, included in the exhibition catalogue by R. Scott and Kerr, R., Ceramic Evolution in the Middle Ming Period, Hongzhi to Wanli (1488-1620), The Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art and The Victoria and Albert Museum, 8 September 1994 - 7 February 1995, p. 27, no. 41.

A pair of aubergine and green-enamelled yellow-ground 'dragon' dishes.Kangxi six-character marks within a double circle in aubergine enamel and of the period (1662-1722). photo Christie's Ltd 2010

The interior of each incised and enamelled in aubergine and green with two five-clawed dragons in pursuit of a flaming pearl amongst fire scrolls, the reverse with four fruiting vine clusters suspended from the rim, all on a rich yellow ground - 5¼ in. (13.3 cm.) diam. (2). Estimate £5,000 - £7,000 ($7,350 - $10,290)

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. 11 May 2010. London, King Street www.christies.com