Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, 27 November 2007
A Ming green and yellow-enamelled 'dragon' dish, Zhengde four-character mark within double-circles and of the period (1506-1521)
Lot 1739 A. A Ming green and yellow-enamelled 'dragon' dish, Zhengde four-character mark within double-circles and of the period (1506-1521); 7 3/8 in. (18.8 cm.) diam. Estimate HKD 200,000 - HKD 300,000. Price realised HKD 583,500. © Christie's Image Ltd 2007
With rounded sides, the exterior incised with two five-clawed dragons chasing 'flaming pearls' amidst cloud scrolls, above a single incised line around the foot, picked out in brilliant emerald-green enamel on a slightly mottled and flecked yellow-ground, the interior covered with a plain white glaze, box.
Note: Cf. a Zhengde mark dish of similar pattern in the Franks Collection in the British Museum is illustrated by Bluett, Ming and Ch'ing Porcelain, pl. VIII, no. 19; and one in the Percival David Foundation Catalogue, section 5, no. A736.
A similar dish from the T.Y. Chao Private and Family Trust Collection sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 19 May 1987, lot 260; another sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 31 March 1992, lot 558.