A FINE PAIR OF IRON-RED DECORATED 'KUI DRAGON' SAUCERS MARKS AND PERIOD OF YONGZHENG

each with shallow rounded sides resting on a short foot, the interior enamelled in iron red with a pair of coiled kui dragons, each depicted grasping a lingzhi stem in its mouth, encircled by a double-line border repeated at the inner rim, the exterior similarly rendered with a pair of stylised kui dragons writhing sinuously and grasping undulating lingzhi stems below an underglaze-blue double-line border at the outer rim, the footrim with a key-fret band, the base with an underglaze-blue six-character reign mark within a double-circle

The overall condition of the pair is very good. The iron red has been generally very well preserved.
"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 pair of dishes is illustrated in Qingdai ciqi Shangjian [Appreciation of Qing Dynasty Porcelain], Shanghai, 1994, pl. 109; one was included in the exhibition Chinese Porcelain of the Ming and Ch’ing Dynasties, Art Gallery of New South Wares, Sydney, 1977, cat. no. 58; another was sold in our London rooms, 4th November 2009, lot 125; a pair was sold in these rooms, 26th November 1980, lot 376, possibly the same pair sold at Christie’s London, 20th/21st June 1984, lot 278; and further dish was sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 27th November 2007, lot 1699.

Compare also a Yongzheng mark and period waterpot, painted in iron red with a similar motif of kui dragons, from the Edward T. Chow Collection, sold in these rooms, 25th November 1985, lot 127; and a pair sold in our London rooms, 16th June 1998, lot 260.