AN IMPERIAL INSCRIBED SILVER DISH DATED XUANDE SEVENTH YEAR, CORRESPONDING TO 1432

of square outline with cusped corners, the gently flared sides rising to a wide flange worked with a band of key fret, the center of the dish inscribed with an Imperial poem, the cue to the line breaks in the poem, the date and a dedication to eunuch Wang Gui, the underside of the flange inscribed with a horizontal mark reading Xuande nian Zhai gong yu qian zhuo fang zhi, with a box with inscriptions and seals of past owners (3)

Collection of Xiao Bingyan circa 1917 - 1940.
Collection of the Master of Xinjing xuan, 1941.
Collection of a German family acquired in China prior to 1949.

One corner of the dish has been broken with associated small losses along the break. There are losses to the raised border along the rim and to the enamel decoration. There are minor cracks on the surface of the dish overall, most noticeably on the left side. The wear is consistent with age and burial.
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.

The inscription on the dish begins by stating that this is an Imperial poem, followed by three characters, qian qiu sui, which indicates the rhythm and spacing of the poem.  This is followed by the poem itself, then the date Xuande seventh year, sixth month, eighth day, and a dedication to eunuch Wang Gui.

The inside cover of the box is inscribed with a description of the dish, stating that the dish was once enameled and that it was found in 1917. Digging was being carried out at an Agriculture and Forestry Research Site of the Xishan Commercial Agriculture Division in Beiping (modern day Beijing), when the tomb of eunuch Wang Gui was discovered. The dish was found in that tomb. The inscription is dated the first month of 1940, and signed Xiao Bingyan from Luling.

According to Qing dynasty records, a Xiao Bingyan from Luling took part in the Imperial examinations in 1903, obtaining a second class degree and was placed one-hundredth and twenty-sixth.

The underside of the removable cover is inscribed with a poem, followed by a statement signed by Xiang Dicong, saying that his friend, the Master of Xinjing xuan (New Mirror Studio) bought this dish after the recent troubles in a store in Tianjin. Finding this story interesting, Xiang inscribed the box for him. The inscription is dated xinsi year, corresponding to 1941.

From the seals, we know that the Master of Xinjing xuan came from Xunwu county, located in today's Jingxi province, and that his surname was Qiu.