Lot 1988. A rare Ming blue and white saucer-dish, Zhengde six-character mark within double-circles and of the period (1506-1521); 6 7/8 in. (17.4 cm.) diam. Estimate HKD 350,000 - HKD 450,000. Price realised HKD 500,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2010

The rounded sides rising from a tapered ring foot to the slightly everted rim, well painted on the exterior with two dragons striding through cruciform clouds in pursuit of 'flaming pearls' and on the interior with three vaporous clouds encircled by a double-line border below band of classic scroll at the rim, box.

Provenance: The Jingguantang Collection Part II, sold at Christie's New York, 20 March 1997, lot 72.

Exhibited: Gems of Chinese Art, The Empress Place Museum, Singapore, 1992, no. 82.

Note: Slightly larger dishes of this design with Zhengde marks include the one illustrated by R. Krahl, Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, vol. 2, London, 1994, p. 74, no. 687; another illustrated in Porcelains from the Tianjin Municipal Museum, Hong Kong, 1993, nos. 105 and 106; and one in the National Palace Museum, Taiwan, illustrated in the Blue and White Wares of the Ming Dynasty, Book IV, Hong Kong, 1968, pl. 11.