A PAIR OF AUBERGINE-GLAZED SAUCER DISHES YONGZHENG MARKS AND PERIOD

each with rounded sides rising from a short foot, the exterior incised with beribboned bajixiang (Eight Buddhist Emblems), applied overall with a rich aubergine-purple glaze with a slightly iridescent sheen leaving the base white, the base inscribed with a six-character Yongzheng mark within a double circle

John Sparks, London.

One dish has extensive surface scratchings (the longest measuring 6cm) and several patches of glaze wear (largest measuring 1 x 1cm) to the well. There are two burst glaze bubbles along the rim and another on the base. There are general minor firing imperfections including further burst glaze bubbles and iron spots. The other dish has minor surface scratchings (the longest measuring circa 1.5cm), several burst glaze bubbles where the glaze runs deep (0.2cm) and patches of glaze wear (circa 1 x 1cm) in the central well. There is a 1cm hairline running vertically down the rim, and another 1cm hairline near it. The exterior also has minor surface scratchings (longest measuring 1cm) and a burst glaze bubble on the base in the reign mark. There are other minor glaze firing imperfections including further burst glaze bubbles and iron spots etc.
"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."

These finely incised dishes are notable for their rich iridescent aubergine glaze. For a related dish but of larger size, see one sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 28^th April 1998, lot 758, along with a pair of smaller dishes, lot 756. A smaller dish of this type was included in the Special Exhibition of Ch'ing Dynasty Monochrome Porcelains in the National Palace Museum, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1992, cat. no. 45; one is illustrated in John Ayers, Chinese Ceramics in the Baur Collection, vol. 2, Geneva, 1999, pl. 318; two examples from the Sir Percival David collection and now in the British Museum, London, are published in Margaret Medley, Illustrated Catalogue of Ming and Ch'ing Monochrome, London, 1972, nos B585 and 586; and a pair from the Goldschmidt and Jingguantang collections, was sold twice at Christie's Hong Kong, 13^th November 1990, lot 69, and 3^rd November 1996, lot 562.