A RARE PAIR OF INCISED AND SLIP-DECORATED FAMILLE-VERTE 'BIRTHDAY' DISHES QING DYNASTY, KANGXI PERIOD |

each finely potted with shallow rounded sides rising to an everted rim, the center slip-decorated with a shou character framed by an incised design of two striding dragons enclosed within a classic scroll border, brilliantly enameled with a laughing-thrush, huamei, perched on a branch issuing three plump peaches surrounded by verdant leaves furling to reveal their undersides, all framed within an iron-red border of stylized bats at the rim, the base with an apocryphal Chenghua mark in underglaze blue within a double circle (2)

Collection of Ivan B. Hart.
Christie's New York, 23rd March 1995, lot 366. 

One with two chips to the rim; the other with a minute frit to the rim. Otherwise, both in overall good condition with only minor expected wear to the footrings.
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 present pair is a variation of a group of very finely potted and painted dishes known as 'birthday' dishes, which are believed to have been made for the Kangxi Emperor's sixtieth birthday in 1713. The combination of incised and slip-molded decoration together with enamels on the present pair is particularly unusual. Compare an identical pair of dishes, formerly in the Guy Mayer and Donald Morrison Collection, first illustrated in Warren Cox, The Book of Pottery and Porcelain, vol. II, New York, 1949, pl. 855, and later included in the exhibition Selections of Chinese Art from Private Collections in the Metropolitan Museum Area, China Institute in America, 1966, cat. no. 66. Similar decoration is also seen on smaller (14.4 cm) Kangxi mark and period 'birthday' dishes, enameled with a different border at the rim, of which an example in the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, Stockholm, is illustrated in Oriental Ceramics. The World's Greatest Collections, vol. 9, Tokyo, 1976, pl. 88. Similar examples of this smaller type have been sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 22nd May 1985, lot 192, and in these rooms, 23rd March 1999, lot 391.