Lot 143. An iron-red-decorated 'dragon' dish, iron-red Zhengde four-character mark within a double circle and of the period (1506-1521); 8 3/8 in. (21.3 cm.) diam. Estimate GBP 10,000 - GBP 15,000. Price realised GBP 33,460. © Christie's Images Ltd 2004

With shallow rounded sides rising from a short tapering foot to a flaring rim, enamelled in iron-red in the central medallion of the interior with a striding five-clawed dragon among clouds and flames, below two anhua phoenix moulded around the well, and with four iron-red fish above the foot on the exterior. 

Provenance: E. T. Hall Collection, no. 135. 

Note: This rare Zhengde marked 'dragon' dish is decorated solely with iron red, and it appears that no other dish of the same design has been published. A Zhengde marked 'dragon' bowl, painted with two iron-red dragons striding above green-enamelled waves, in the Idemitsu Museum is illustrated in Chinese Ceramics in the Idemitsu Museum, Tokyo, 1986, no. 176. Interestingly, the mark on this bowl is also a four-character mark painted in iron red.

Christie's. Chinese Monochrome Porcelain from the Collection of the late E. T. Hall, London, 7 June 2004