Lot 4066. A fine large late Ming blue and white 'Flower basket' dish, Wanli six-character mark within double-circles and of the period (1573-1619), 11 5/8 in. (29.5 cm.) diam. Estimate HKD 200,000 - HKD 300,000. Price realised HKD 200,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2012

The dish is of shallow form with steeply rounded sides. The centre of the dish is boldly painted in vibrant tones of underglaze blue with a basket containing 'Flowers of the Four Seasons'. The well is decorated with leafy branches and foliate sprigs interspersed with scattered fans and shells, the underside with butterflies in flight amidst flowering peony sprays. 

Provenance: Tai Sing Fine Antiques Ltd., Hong Kong 

Note: The flower basket motif was popular during the Wanli period, a similar example is illustrated in Toji Taikei, vol. 42, Tokyo, 1975, pl. 90. For a Tianqi-marked example see the large dish (33 cm.) in the Nezu Art Museum, Tokyo, illustrated in Sekai Toji Zenshu, vol. 14, Tokyo, 1976, p. 114, no. 115; another Tianqi-marked dish similar to the Nezu Art Museum dish, in the Idemitsu Museum of Arts, is illustrated in the exhibition catalogue, In Pursuit of the Dragon, Seattle Art Museum, 1988, p. 147, no. 80. 

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 30 May 2012, Hong Kong, HKCEC Grand Hall