Lot 27. An aubergine-glazed incised 'dragon' dish, Kangxi six-character mark and of the period (1662-1722); 25cm (9 7/8in) diam. Estimate £ 3,000 - 5,000 (€ 3,500 - 5,800). © Bonhams 2001-2019

Finely potted with shallow rounded sides rising from a slightly tapered foot to an everted rim, deftly incised with two dragons around the cavetto striding in pursuit of a flaming pearl, the reverse similarly incised with two dragons chasing a pearl, applied overall with a brilliant aubergine glaze partly running over the footring, box. 

Provenance: Jorge Welsh Ltd., London (label)
An English private collection.

Note: A closely related example is illustrated in Kangxi Porcelains from the Shanghai Museum Collection, Hong Kong, 1998, pl.224; another is published in Chinese Porcelain: The S.C. Ko Tianminlou Collection, Hong Kong, 1987, vol.1, Hong Kong, 1987, pl.144; and a third dish was included in the exhibition Chinese Ceramics: The Koger Collection, John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota, 1985, no.172, where it is suggested that this vibrant purplish glaze was an innovation of the late Kangxi period.