A BLUE AND WHITE DISH MING DYNASTY, WANLI PERIOD

painted in vivid tones of underglaze blue with a qilin supporting on its back an elaborate canopied lantern, flanked by two male attendants, framed within a double-line border, the rim with a band of scrolling lotus and foliage, the underside with four precious objects divided by lanterns, the base with a four-character Da Ming nian zhi mark within a double circle

The dish is in good overall condition. The rim ha a minute glaze frit and is somewhat warped. There are scattered burst glaze bubbles. The surface with light wear consistent with age and use.
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.

Compare a slightly larger dish of this type sold in our London rooms, 6th June 1967, lot 144. Another, with a Wanli reign mark, sold in the same rooms, 12th November 2003, lot 155. This design is also found in wucai, see one example illustrated in Bo Gyllensvard, Chinese Ceramics in the Carl Kempe Collection, Stockholm, 1964, pl. 850, and a pair sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 30th November 2016, lot 3399.