A pair of blue and white dishes, Ming dynasty, Wanli mark and period (1573-1620).
For condition report contact specialist
The shallow rounded sides rising from a tapering foot to a flaring rim, painted to the interior in vivid cobalt-blue tones with fierce five clawed dragon chasing the flaming pearl amidst cloud formations, the exterior with a pair of sinuous dragons in pursuit of flaming pearl amid cloud scrolls, inscribed to the base with a six-character Wanli mark within a double circle. Diameter approx. 14 cm.
Chips. Rim slightly polished.
Provenance
Puchased at Bukowskis, Sale 577, lot 1688. Then from a private collection.
From the Collection of Art Director Ivar Björnberg (1934-2021). Growing up at Östermalm, Stockholm Ivar visited gallery viewings, auction viewings and antique shops with his parents and alone. It was during his visits to the antique dealers of Stockholm he became friends with the dealer Victoria Lindström, Grev Turegatan 28, Stockholm (she later moved her gallery to Riddargatan). He started to work extra at the gallery and had her as a mentor when starting his own collection. The collection is a academic one and it shows Mr Björnbergs taste and great passion for the aesthetics of Chinese Works of Art.
Literature
Compare a dish like this sold at; Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, 11 May 11, London, 14 mai 2011.