Lot 55. A pair of yellow-ground green and aubergine-enamelled 'dragon' dishes, Guangxu six-character seal marks in aubergine enamel and of the period (1875-1908). Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2016

Each dish is incised and enamelled to the centre of the interior with a green and an aubergine dragon contesting a flaming pearl amidst fire scrolls. The exterior is decorated with four cranes in flight, interspersed with four cloud scrolls. 5 3/8 in. (13.7 cm.) diam. One dish: There is a tiny shallow chip to the mouth rim which has been overpainted, measuring approximately 0.3 cm. long. The other dish: A semicircular section of the rim has been broken in two pieces and restuck, with associated chips (some of these chips are kept separately). There are three very short hairline cracks emanating from the mouth rim, the largest measuring approximately 1 cm. long. There is general age-related surface wear and scratches to each dish.. Estimation: USD 4,500 - 6,000

Provenance: Property from the Geronimo Berenguer de los Reyes, Jr. collection. .

Christie's on line. The Art of China.