A pair of fine yellow-ground aubergine and green-enamelled 'Dragon' dishes, Kangxi six-character marks in aubergine enamel within double circles and of the period (1662-1722). Estimate HK$1,200,000 – HK$1,800,000 ($160,000 - $230,000). Unsold. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2015

Each dish is finely incised and enamelled to the interior central roundel with two five-clawed dragons contesting a flaming pearl, encircled by peach and lychee sprigs. The exteriors are decorated with two sinuous chilong separated bylingzhi sprigs, all in aubergine and green enamel reserved on a rich yellow ground. 4 1/4 in. (10.8 cm.) diam. (2)

Provenance: E.T. Chow Collection
Sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 25 November 1980, lot 145
Sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 2 May 2000, lot 631 

Property of the Leshantang Collection 

Notes: The design of the current pair of dishes is based on earlier Ming dynasty prototypes dating to the Wanli period (1573-1619). An example of this Ming type was also in the E.T.Chow Collection and sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 19 May 1981, lot 439.

Several examples of the Kangxi versions are published. Compare the current dishes to a pair of identical design and size in collection of the Shanghai Museum, illustrated in Kangxi Porcelain Wares from the Shanghai Museum Collection, Hong Kong, 1998, p. 225, no. 146.
Two slightly larger dishes of this design with Kangxi marks in three lines are in the Percival David Collection, illustrated by Margaret Medley in Illustrated Catalogue of Ming Polychrome Wares, London, 1978, plate XII, no. 145.

This style of dish was also copied in the 18th century but the cavetto of the later examples was usually left undecorated. 

CHRISTIE'S. THE IMPERIAL SALE & IMPORTANT CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 3 June 2015, Convention Hall