A RARE BLUE AND WHITE 'DRAGON' TAZZA SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG

of circular form with shallow slightly rounded sides supported on a tall splayed stem, painted around the sides with a band of interlinked foliate strapwork within line borders, the stem brightly decorated in shaded tones of cobalt with a five-clawed dragon striding in pursuit of a 'flaming pearl' above a tempestuous sea, with a large carp further leaping from the breaking waves, and three pointed rocks alternating with clusters of floating leaves, the interior of the stem inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character seal mark written in a horizontal line

Sotheby's Hong Kong, 29th October 1991, lot 153.

The tazza is in overall good condition. There is a 8 mm. shallow chip in the glaze on the interior of the foot and a 1 cm. firing flaw in the glaze adjacent to it.
"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."

A closely related tazza was sold in these rooms, 5^th October 2011, lot 2048; and another of this type, but with a Kangxi reign mark and of the period, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, is published in the Illustrated Catalogue of Ch’ing Dynasty Porcelain, vol. 1, Tokyo, 1980, pl. 15.