Finely enamelled with a central panel with story tellers surrounded with foliate cartouches enclosing scenes from Xiyouji, reserved on a diaper ground, the rim with an elaborate border with floral roundels and varying diaper patterns, the base with an artemisia leaf motif. 35.2cm (13 7/8in) diam.

Notes: The decorative scheme on the present dish is unusual as it seems to show a group of story tellers in the centre surrounded by a series of narrative panels. 西遊記 xi you ji, or Journey to the West, is an epic 16th century novel fictionalizing the actual journey of the historical figure of Xuanzang (602–664) who made a pilgrimage to India to collect Buddhist sutras. During the eventful trip the honest but hapless Buddhist monk is accompanied by Sun Wukong, a tempestuous and powerful simian king recently released from a supernatural prison, Zhu Bajie, a greedy pig-like demon, and Sha Wujing, a quiet and sensible river spirit. The troupe suffer a series of increasingly dangerous trials but eventually prevail, finally bringing the true word of Buddha back to the Tang Imperial court.

Bonhams. AUCTION 23541: ASIAN ART, 10:30 BST - LONDON, KNIGHTSBRIDGE