Lot 189. Two Swatow blue and white dishes for the Islamic market, Late Ming Dynasty, 16th-17th century; 42cm (16 1/2in) diam. (2). Estimate £6,000 - 8,000 (€7,200 - 9,600). Photo Bonhams.

 One dish painted in the well with a three-peaked rocky island above two islands linked by a bridge above a boat, a fish and a lobster rising from the waves, all surrounded by a lotus scroll and medallions containing dancing men and Arabic script, 41.3cm (16 1/8in) diam; the other dish painted with two fish-dragons in the central medallion surrounded by panels with flying horses, further surrounded by medallions containing Arabic and dancing men. 

Note: The Arabic inscriptions around the rim of both dishes can be translated as 'God is health' and 'God is healing'.

Compare with two very similar Swatow dishes, one with dragon and dragon-fish, the other with islands, a bridge, lobster and fish, 16th/17th century, illustrated by B.Harrisson, Swatow: In Het Princessehof, Leeuwarden, 1979, pp.75-76, nos.140 and 142.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE ART, 11 May 2017, 11:00 BST, LONDON, NEW BOND STREET