Lot 1333. An unusual iron-red and underglaze-blue-decorated 'dragon' dish, Yongzheng seal mark in black enamel and possibly of the period (1723-1735); 8¼ in. (20.9 cm.) diam. Estimate USD 10,000 - USD 12,000. Price realised USD 37,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2013 

The dish has rounded sides, and is decorated in the interior in iron-red with a five-clawed dragon leaping amidst blue ruyi clouds and flame scrolls in pursuit of a flaming pearl. A similar frieze of two dragons is on the exterior.

Provenance: Private Chicago collection.
Ralph M. Chait Galleries, New York, early 1970s.

Note: Compare the wine warmer with very similar decoration of iron-red dragons amidst underglaze blue-clouds, and also bearing a black-enamel Yongzheng seal mark, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 24-25 October 1993, lot 828. See, also, the similarly decorated bowl with Yongzheng seal mark in black enamel, sold at Sotheby's New York, 19 March 1997, lot 311.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, New York, 19 - 20 September 2013