China, 1127-1279. Finely molded on the interior with two fish swimming around a lotus blossom amid waves, encircled by bands of leafy lotus scroll and key-fret. The dish is covered inside and out below the unglazed rim with a rich, aqua-blue glaze.

Provenance: John Drew Collection. R&G McPherson Antiques, London, United Kingdom. David Stopher, Kent, acquired from the above. John Drew (1933-2006) spent nearly all his working life in various African countries as an archivist, moving to a post at Cape Town University in 1978, where he remained until his passing. His taste was varied and ranged from Neolithic wares all the way through to 18th century porcelain. Robert McPherson is an English dealer and highly regarded expert in Chinese ceramics, a committee member of the Oriental Ceramic Society, and on the board of 'Asian Art in London'.
Condition: Good condition with minor wear and firing flaws including small glaze recesses, dark spots, the rim with a small old repair.

Weight: 126.7 g
Dimensions: Diameter 14 cm

Paired fish symbolize fertility and connubial bliss, and they are also one of the Eight Buddhist symbols.

Literature comparison:
Feuer und Erde. Chinesische Frükeramik, Museum fuer Ostasiatische Kunst, Cologne 2008, no. 207, p. 255. Chinese Ceramics, Song-Yuan, Taipei 1997, p. 347.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie's New York, 24 July 2020, lot 54
Price: USD 11.250 or approx. EUR 12,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A molded Qingbai 'lotus pond' dish, Southern Song dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the closely related form, glaze, and molded decoration. Note the related size (14.5 cm).