明天順 / 成化 礬紅加彩摩羯魚紋盤

with rounded sides rising from a short foot to a flared rim, boldly painted in iron-red, green and turquoise enamels, the interior with a central medallion enclosing a makara dragon amongst scrolling clouds, the ferocious winged beast with mouth widely opened revealing its sharp fangs, all within double-line borders in iron red repeated at the rim, the exterior similarly decorated with two further makara dragons striding amongst clouds, the base with a stylised square seal mark reading zheng (‘authorised’ or ‘standard’) in iron red

Bluett & Sons Ltd，倫敦，1930年間
R.H.R. Palmer 伉儷收藏（編號505），1930年間至1962年 (£21)
倫敦蘇富比1962年11月27日，編號51(£180)
Bluett & Sons Ltd，倫敦，1962年 (£180)
羅傑琵金頓(1928-69年)收藏，自1962年(£180)

《Exhibition of The Arts of the Ming Dynasty》，The Arts Council，東方陶瓷學會，倫敦，1957年，編號186

Soame Jenyns, 《Ming Pottery and Porcelain》，倫敦，1953年，圖版 64a
Adrian Joseph，《Ming Porcelains: Their Origins and Development》，倫敦，1971年，圖版66

Apart from a minute stained haircrack at the 4 o clock position in the catalogue photo, the dish is in good condition, with just minor firing irregularities and insignificant enamel flakes.
"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."

此盤所繪夔龍，靈動妙趣。究其樣式與著色，應同屬一類繪雲龍紋之「上用」款瓷器。見一類例，錄 Jan Wirgin，〈Ming Wares in the Lauritzen Collection〉，《The Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities Bulletin》，卷37，1965年，圖版8，編號13a，作者認為此類瓷系民窰燒製，見頁204。

另見一近似例，為 Avery Brundage 收藏，展於《Ming Porcelain. A Retrospective》，China House Gallery，紐約，1970年，圖錄編號40。亦有兩相若盤例，屬 A.A. Aykroyd 爵士典藏，售於倫敦蘇富比1966年5月17日，編號19及20。 又見一盌例，載《世界陶磁全集》，卷11，東京，1955年，圖版14。