An unusual Blue and White dish, Ming dynasty, 16th/17th century

With shallow sides rising to the slightly everted, rounded rim, painted in the well in dark tones of inky blue with a mythical beast in a rocky landscape bearing a tall canopy on its back from which hangs four long banners, with two figures standing at its side, one bearing a sword and the other a dish containing an offering, the cavetto painted with a floral scroll, the reverse with four auspicious tassled emblems separated by canopies and banners with pendent lanterns, the base with four-character mark, Da Ming Nian Zhi, within a double circle. 8 1/16 in. (20.5 cm.) diam., Japanese wood box  Estimate: $8,000 - $12,000

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. 17 September 2008. New York, Rockefeller Plaza. www.christies.com