£200,000
Auction: 02 December 2014 at 10:00 GMT
of wide basin form with a flat rim, the central circular medallion in shades of blue, carved with an archaic style three-clawed chilong dragon suspended in flight amongst swirls of cloud, his face with a determined expression and heavy brow, a single horn curling above his mane, his tail terminating in scrolls, the exterior carved with upright lotus petal lappets, the raised foot with brown wash and the base with six character seal mark
Note:
Sotheby's New York sold an identical charger on 23rd March 2004, lot 648. Apart from the dish mentioned above, no other chargers of this type appear to be recorded. The design is known in chargers of plain monochrome celadon, one example of which is in the Victoria & Albert Museum, London. The rarity of this combination of colours in the Yongzheng era and the minor firing flaws suggest that these chargers were part of an experimental group. The Yongzheng emperor was known to challenge his potters to produce increasingly advanced designs with exceptional glazes.
Provenance:
Private collection, Scotland.
Aqcuired by the late uncle of the present owner, who was a prisoner-of-war in Japan during the Second World War. Following his release he stayed in Japan working his way to become a successful businessman. He collected this and many other Chinese and Japanese works of art during his travels throughout Asia, bringing them back to England in the 1950's when he set up home in Yorkshire and later Scotland.
Another charger from this collection was sold at Lyon & Turnbull on 4th June 2014, lot 368.