modelled as an oval shell, painted in a Kakiemon palette on the interior with a bird perched upon bamboo amidst other flowering branches issuing from a banded hedge within a foliate-edged cartouche, and around the sides of the interior and exterior with butterflies and various other winged insects, applied around the foot with a border of strawberries and leaves, incised triangle mark.

D. M. & P. Manheim Antiques, New York

The rim has a 1/2-in. slice-like chip to its edge and some minor typical chips and losses to the leaves of the applied border around the foot. There is a firing fault running approximately 4 inches around the cavetto of the dish and a second minor short one in the cavetto on the opposite side, as well as a minor fine vertical firing fault to the inside of the foot. The glaze has some minor occasional crazing.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Dishes of this form are often referred to as 'Strawberry' dishes, not because of an intended function but because they are often found modelled with an applied border of berries and leaves. While there does not appear to be a direct silver prototype for these dishes, they certainly exhibit the influence of the rococo elements of silver designs by Nicholas Sprimont, who was still engaged as a silversmith during the early days of his involvement with the Chelsea porcelain manufactory. Two 'Strawberry' dishes are illustrated by Elizabeth Adams, Chelsea Porcelain, pp. 25 and 27, fig. 3.1 and 3.3 and 4. Another dish, without the applied border, is illustrated by John C. Austin, Chelsea Porcelain at Williamsburg, p. 31, no. 12.