Lot 2177. A rare large yellow, green and aubergine-glazed 'dragon' dish, Kangxi six-character mark in underglaze blue within a double circle and of the period (1662-1722); 14 in. (35.5 cm.) diam. Estimate USD 40,000 - USD 60,000. Price Realized USD 125,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2014. 

The dish has rounded sides that rise to a slightly everted rim, and is decorated on the interior with two leaping dragons contesting a flaming pearl amidst clouds below eight flowers of the seasons including lotus, rose, tree peony, crab apple, prunus, camellia, chrysanthemum and herbaceous peony. On the exterior four further dragons are shown striding amidst clouds and flames in pursuit of flaming pearls. The decoration is incised under the glaze and surrounded by a rich, egg yolk-yellow ground.

Note: A similar Kangxi dish of comparable size (13.9 in.), also with an everted rim, is illustrated by Hobson in The George Eumorfopolous Collection Catalogue of Chinese Ceramics and Persian Pottery and Porcelain, vol. V, 1927, pl. XXXVIII, no. E199. Another of smaller size (12½ in.) in the British Museum is illustrated by Hobson, Rackham and King in Chinese Ceramics in Private Collections, London, 1931, p. 127, fig. 229. See, also, the similar dish of smaller size (12¾ in.) sold at Christie's London, 11 May 2010, lot 235.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, New York, 20 - 21 March 2014