An incised green, yellow and aubergine dish. Incised Wanli six-character mark and of the period

The interior finely incised at the centre with a medallion enclosing a zun-shaped vase containing yellow blossoming flowers, surrounded by the Eight Buddhist Emblems, bajixiang, at the well, painted in yellow and aubergine, the sides of the reverse with six lingzhi fungus, all on a vibrant green ground. 18.5cm (7¼in) diam. Sold for £22,800

Provenance: Lane Collection.
R.H.R.Palmer, collection label no.239.
Palmer Inventory no.239, where it is stated that the dish was purchased in May 1931 for £30.

A smaller dish (14.2cm diam.) of the same design is illustrated by J.Ayers, Chinese Ceramics in the Baur Collection, Vol.I, Geneva, 1999, p.167, fig.105. Dishes of the same type, but slightly larger, are also known, see one in the Percival David Collection (29.3cm diam.), illustrated by M.Medley, Illustrated Catalogue of Ming Polychrome Wares, London, 1978, fig.99, and another in the Musée Guimet, Paris (23.1cm diam.), illustrated by D.Lion-Goldschmidt, La Porcelaine Ming, Paris, 1978, fig.203.

Bonhams. Fine Chinese Art, 14 May 2009. New Bond Street www.bonhams.com