Lot 520. A large blue and white 'Cranes' dish, Jiajing mark and period (1522-1566). Diameter 23 3/8  in., 59.4 cm. Estimate 15,000 — 25,000 USD. Lot sold 18,750 USD. Photo: Sotheby's.

sturdily potted, the rounded sides rising from a tapered foot, the interior painted in inky cobalt tones with a large central medallion enclosing six cranes soaring amidst cloud scrolls, with long straight legs artfully counterbalancing their S-curved necks and articulated plumage, the motif repeated around the exterior, line borders encircling the medallion, rim, and foot, the horizontal six character reign mark in a rectangular cartouche at the exterior rim, the base unglazed.

Note: A dish of this type with a Jiajing reign mark is illustrated in Leopold Reidemeister and J. Hellner, Ming-Porzellane in Schwedischen Sammlungen, Berlin, 1935, pl. 18b. A slightly smaller version of the dish, also marked, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 27th April 1993, lot 44.   

Sotheby's. Important Chinese Art, New York, 21 march 2018, 10:00 AM