Lot 3303. A fine famille verte 'dragon' dish, Kangxi six-character mark in underglaze blue within a double circle and of the period (1662-1722); 9 7/8 in. (25.1 cm.) diam. Estimate HKD 800,000 - HKD 1,200,000. Price realised HKD 1,360,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2014.  

The dish is potted with shallow rounded sides rising to an everted rim, raised on a wedge-shaped foot. Covered overall in a cream glaze, the interior is decorated with leafy branches bearing peaches and pomegranates rendered in colourful shades of green, yellow, aubergine and blue. The exterior is enamelled in a similar palette, with two leafy sprays bearing camellia and rose blooms with associated buds. Both the interior and exterior are further decorated with delicate incised decoration depicting scenes of dragons chasing flaming pearls, Japanese wood box.

Note:Several similar dishes bearing this double-decoration are known, including one illustrated in Chinese Porcelain, The S.C. Tianminlou Collection, vol. 1, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong, 1987, no. 80; another in Imperial Perfection, The Palace Porcelains of Three Chinese Emperors: A Selection from the Wang Xing Lou Collection, Hong Kong, 2004, no. 28; and an example formerly from the British Rail Pension Fund which subsequently entered the Meiyintang Collection, illustrated in Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, volume 4 (II), London, 2010, pp. 376-377, no. 1818. Also see examples of bowls decorated in this style, such as one example illustrated in Treasures in the Royalty: The Official Kiln Porcelain of the Chinese Qing Dynasty, Shanghai, 2003, p. 67 and another example sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 29 May 2013, lot 2114.

Sancai Dish with Design of Cloud, Dragon and Fruit Trees on White Ground, Kangxi reign. Photo Capital Museum.

From the Meiyintang Collection. A Biscuit-Enamelled Sancai Dish, Mark and Period of Kangxi (1662-1722); 25 cm, 9 7/8 in. Estimate 1,000,000 - 1,500,000 HKD. Lot sold 1,220,000 HKD at Hong Kong, 09 oct. 2012, lot 29. Photo Sotheby's.

Cf. my post: A Biscuit-Enamelled Sancai Dish, Mark and Period of Kangxi (1662-1722) 

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, 26 November 2014.