ENCIRCLED WANLI SIX-CHARACTER MARK AND OF THE PERIOD

The design on this dish appears to be very rare, although similar aquatic plants, often with fish swimming amongst them, can be found on Ming blue and white dishes from the Xuande period onwards; these, however, invariably have similar aquatic plants with or without fish on the reverse. The lotus scroll on the exterior of this dish seems to be a far rarer combination.