Important plat en porcelaine de la Famille Verte Dynastie Qing, époque Kangxi

finement peint d'une scène de palais figurant l'Empereur et l'Impératrice entourés de leur suite, assistant à un spectacle de danse et de musique dans un décor fastueux, le pourtour extérieur peint de quatre grues en vol au-dessus de vagues et rochers saillants, marque zhi en bleu sous couverte à la base

Acquired in France by the family of the present owner in the 19th century. 
In the family by descent.

There are several shallow chips along the upper part of the rim between 11pm and 12am, ranging between ca. 1cm and ca. 3 cm in length and a ca, 3cm wide area just below the longest chip where the enamels have misfired. To the right in the centre of the top of the rim at ca. 12am, there is a ca. 1cm wide shallow chip to the rim. There is a ca. 4cm long area of light fritting to the exterior rim on the lower part of the dish at ca. 6pm. There is overall light wear to the enamels in the centre of the dish, particularly the blue and black, some of it possibly stacking wear, and some minor wear to the green enamels. There is some light scratching along the well and along the inner rim. There is very minor wear to the gold painted parts, mostly along the rim. There is some light wear to the enamels on the back of the dish and some glaze impurities to the base around the mark. Overall the dish is in very good condition considering its size, the enamels bright and glossy with fine detailing.
"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."

Several dishes of this exceptionally large size finely painted in Famille Verte colours with variations of banquet scenes are known. Compare two dishes of the same size and quality, sold at Sotheby's London, 19th June 2002, lots 127 and 128, the latter formerly in the Ionides Collection, London. Another dish belonging to this group was sold at Christie's London, 13th November 2001, lot 224.

The base on this dish is inscribed with and underglaze blue zhi mark. This mark, like the apocryphal Chenghua marks of the period, has been linked to porcelains made for Imperial use. There are several variations of the mark. For examples see "The Complete Collection of Treasures in the Palace Museum, Miscellaneous Enamelled Porcelains and Plain Tricoloured Porcelains", Shanghai, 2009, cat. nos. 219, 220 and 223. For blue and white examples and wucai wares, compare Kangxi Porcelain Wares from the Shanghai Museum Collection, Hong Kong, 1998, nos. 50, 115-118.