A RARE FAMILLE-VERTE 'PEACH' DISH MARK AND PERIOD OF KANGXI |

the shallow rounded sides resting on a tapered foot, brightly enamelled on the interior with a large peach of variegated green, mottled olive and rusty brown tones, inscribed with two seal characters reading wanshou (longevity) in gilt, the fruit borne on a knotted bough issuing lanceolate leaves of various shades of green, similarly painted on the exterior with three detached sprays of peach gilt with shou characters, the base inscribed with a six-character reign mark in underglaze blue within a double circle

The dish has been professionally restored from original pieces with minor losses refilled. The enamels have been generally 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."

Dishes of this design are rare, although one in the Palace Museum, Beijing, is illustrated in Kangxi. Yongzheng. Qianlong. Qing Imperial Porcelain from the Palace Museum Collection, Hong Kong, 1989, p. 70, pl. 53; another from the Sir Percival David collection, and now in the British Museum, London, is published in Oriental Ceramics. The World's Great Collections, vol. 6, Tokyo, 1982, pl. 218; and a third example was sold in our London rooms, 5th December 1995, lot 306.

Dishes of this type were made for the Kangxi Emperor as ten thousand longevities could only be designated for the emperor and empresses of China.  Wanshou, which means 'ten thousand longevities', written inside a peach represents the wish, 'May the immortal peach grant you longevity (wanshou wujiang)'.