with shallow rounded sides rising from a short tapering foot to an everted rim, the interior decorated with a central medallion enclosing two boys at play, framed by pine trees and rockwork, the exterior with a continuous frieze depicting eight further boys interrupted by shrubs and trees, the base inscribed with a six-character reign mark within a double circle

Collection of Mr and Mrs R.H.R. Palmer, no. 456.
Christie's Hong Kong, 17th January 1989, lot 579.

The rim has been slightly polished to conceal a few occasional flakes. There are also some original firing imperfections, including a circular firing crack above the foot and visible on the interior, as well as minor surface scratches.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Porcelain wares made during the brief six-year reign of the Longqing emperor are known to have followed closely in the style of the preceding Jiajing reign. They were made in small quantity and those which bear the imperial reign mark are even rarer. This Longqing dish, lively painted in underglaze blue with boys motif, appears to be extremely rare, with only one closely related example appears to be know.

The companion dish, painted with an almost identical design in underglaze blue and of the same size, from the collection of H.R.N. Norton, was sold twice in our London rooms in 1963 and 1974, twice at Christie's Hong Kong, 1989 and the last time, 3rd May 1994, lot 640, and illustrated in Adrian Joseph, Ming Porcelains: Their Origins and Development, London, 1971, pl. 50.

See also a larger Longqing blue and white 'boys' dish, but instead of two figures, painted with a scene of four boys around a chess board to the interior well, from a European private collection in Alexandra, exhibited in Imperial Chinese Porcelain, Ceramics & Works of Art, ꧅Marchant📖, 2013, cat. no. 1.