A Rare Blue And White 'clouds And Dragons' Dish
ZHENGDE SIX-CHARACTER MARK IN UNDERGLAZE BLUE WITHIN A DOUBLE CIRCLE AND OF THE PERIOD (1506-1521)
This dish exemplifies the refined porcelain production of the Zhengde period, one of the Ming dynasty's most celebrated ceramic phases, as confirmed by its underglaze blue six-character reign mark enclosed in a double circle. The composition features clouds and dragons rendered in cobalt blue against the white porcelain ground, motifs that carried imperial significance and were reserved for the emperor's use during this era. The technical mastery evident in both the mark's placement and the painted decoration reflects the high standards maintained at the imperial kilns in Jingdezhen during the early sixteenth century.
- Provenance
- Hugh Moss Ltd., London, June 1971.
- Spotted At
- Auction House · Christie's
Notes
EXHIBITED New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, on loan 1976-2003; exhibited 1983-2003, no. L.1976.57. Conditions of sale Brought to you by Rufus Chen (陳嘉安) Head of Sale, AVP, Specialist Check the condition report or get in touch for additional information about this ASIANARTNY@CHRISTIES.COM +1 212 636 2180 VIEW CONDITION REPORT LOT ESSAY Zhengde-marked dishes of this type are very rare, although the design was in use from as early as the Hongwu period. A Xuande-marked example formerly in the Ise Collection is illustrated in Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka, ed., The Enchanting Chinese Ceramics from the Ise Collection, Osaka, 2017, pp. 126-27, no. 45, and later sold in Masterpieces of Chinese Ceramics from the Ise Collection; Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 9 September 2025, lot 5043.
🔨 Auction Lot
Important Chinese Art
March 26, 2026
Estimate: $20,000 – $30,000
Sold: $190,500
Lot 608
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