- 2551
A RARE LARGE BLUE AND WHITE AND IRON-RED 'DRAGON' BOWL MING DYNASTY, CHENGHUA/HONGZHI PERIOD
Estimate
2,000,000 - 3,000,000 HKD
bidding is closed
Description
finely potted with deep rounded sides rising from a short foot to a slightly everted rim, boldly and freely painted in shades of iron-red with four five-clawed dragons, their scaly, sinuous bodies pacing amidst cloud swirls in soft tones of underglaze-blue and emitting flames, all above crashing crested waves and below a classic diaper band at the rim, the interior with a central medallion enclosing a further iron-red dragon writhing amid cloud swirls, covered overall in a thick unctuous glaze fired to a waxy finish
Provenance
The Regal Collection, formed from the late 19th century over two generations in Pennsylvannia, USA.
Condition
There is a small chip to the rim of approx 0.4 by 0.3cm which has been filled in, and an associated hairline crack stemming down approx 10.5cm, and which forks out approx 0.7cm. There is some surface wear and rubbing to the iron-red on the interior.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
See a bowl of similar design and size, attributed to the Chenghua period, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Treasures of the Palace Museum. Blue and White Porcelain with Underglazed Red, vol.II, Hong Kong, 2000, pl.222; and another related bowl but without the iron-red dragons, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, included in the Museum's Special Exhibition of Ch'eng-hua Porcelain Ware, Taipei, 1992, pl.106.