Lot 1395. A fine late Ming blue and white dish, Wanli six-character mark and of the period (1573-1619); 8 1/2 in. (21.6 cm.) diam. Estimate HKD 150,000 - HKD 200,000. Price realised HKD 192,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2006. 

The centre of the dish painted in underglaze-blue of rich purplish-blue tone with a scholar riding a qilin led by an attendant, talking to another scholar sitting under a tree, the cavetto with the 'Three Friends of Winter', pine, bamboo and prunus, grouped in four clusters, the reverse encircled by three chilong in mutual pursuit of scrolling peonies, box.

Note: An identical dish was included in the National Palace Museum exhibition, Good Fortune, Long Life, Health and Peace: A Special Exhibition of Porcelains with Auspicious Designs, Taiwan, 1995, illustrated in the Catalogue, no. 57.  

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, 30 May 2006