A RARE BROWN-GLAZED 'CHRYSANTHEMUM' DISH YONGZHENG MARK AND PERIOD

the shallow rounded sides finely moulded with forty-four fluted petals radiating from a slightly sunken well to form a foliate rim, correspondingly lobed on the exterior and continuing to the splayed foot, applied overall with a fine golden brown glaze displaying an iridescent sheen and satin texture, leaving the base glazed white, the base inscribed with a six-character Yongzheng mark within a double circle

Bluett & Sons, London.

The central well of the dish has a circa 2cm scratch and other minor scratchings measuring circa 1cm. There is minor glaze loss particularly to the ribs between the radiating petals close to the well (ranging from circa 0.2cm to 1.2cm) and the tips of the petals. The exterior has three patches of kiln grit resulting in uneven distribution of glaze (the largest area measuring circa 0.2 x 0.2cm). The base has six burst glaze bubbles and a circa 3.5 x 1cm area of subtle glaze crackle under the reign mark.
"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."

This perfectly formed dish is notable for the iridescent sheen of the brown glaze and the delicately formed petals. A closely related example in the Palace Museum, Beijing, was included in the exhibition China. Three Emperors 1644-1975, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 2005, cat. no. 172 (top centre); one from the Sir Percival David collection, now in the British Museum, is published in Margaret Medley, Illustrated Catalogue of Ming and Ch'ing Monochrome in the Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art, London, 1973, pl. B597; another was included in the Min Chiu Society exhibition Monochrome Ceramics of Ming and Ch'ing Dynasties, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1977, cat. no. 95; and a fourth example in the Nanjing Museum, Nanjing, is illustrated in The Official Kiln Porcelain of the Chinese Qing Dynasty, Shanghai, 2003, p. 180 (far left). See also a dish published in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, London, 2010, pl. 1831; and another from the H.M. Knight and Hall Family collections, sold twice in our Hong Kong rooms and most recently at Christie's New York, 21^st September 2004, lot 305.