A large polychrome swatow dish Ming dynasty, 16th century

the rounded sides rising to an everted rim, the interior with a central medallion freely painted with a turquoise bird perched on a rock amidst large flowers rendered in iron-red and leaves picked out in green enamel, the cavetto with two striding dragons in pursuit of 'flaming pearls' among further rocks and lingzhi sprays, all beneath a border of stylized waves in iron-red on the rim, raised on a wedge-shaped foot

Collection of Captain S.N. Ferris Luboshez, USN (Ret'd) (until 1982).
Sotheby's New York, 18th November 1982, lot 95.
Thereafter with the present owners.

In good condition with kiln grit adhering to the foot and base. Minor kiln grit, iron spots, and glaze pull to the interior. The exterior with pinholes throughout.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A slightly larger dish with closely related decoration was sold at Christie's London, 23rd June 1980, lot 32; and another with two peonies and paneled rim design was sold at Christie's New York, 28-29th June 1984, lot 548. Compare also with a similarly decorated dish in the Princessehof Museum, Leeuwarden, illustrated in Barbara Harrison, Swatow in Het Princessehof, Leeuwarden, 1979, pl. 194. Dishes of this type but painted with two phoenix are more commonly known, for example, see one in the Percival David Foundation published in Margaret Medley, The Chinese Potter, Oxford, 1976, col. pl. VII; and another sold in our London rooms, 6th June 1995, lot 219.