BLUE AND WHITE 'DRAGON' CHARGER
QING DYNASTY, KANGXI MARK AND OF THE PERIOD
清康熙 青花雙圈「大清康熙年製」六字楷書款 青花雙龍趕珠紋大盤potted with shallow rounded sides rising from a short, tapered foot, the interior painted with two fierce five-clawed dragons pursuing flaming pearls amongst stylised clouds and flames within the central medallion, the cavetto and exterior similarly decorated, the base inscribed with a six-character Kangxi mark within a double-circle
36.5cm diameter 
Karen and the late Marc Ellington, Towie Barclay Castle, Aberdeenshire. Towie Barclay, a picturesque tower house castle, lying just a few miles southeast of Turiff, in Aberdeenshire, had been the Ellington family's home for over 50 years. The site of the castle was gifted to Clan Barclay in the 11th century by Malcolm III of Scotland and there is evidence that there has been a dwelling there since the 12th century. The present structure, in the form of a traditional keep with rib and groin vaulted interiors, was completed in 1593. The castle remained in the Barclay family until 1752, when it was sold to the Earl of Findlater, and then some years later in 1792, to Robert Gordon’s Hospital in Aberdeen. Karen and Marc Ellington, both from the USA, purchased the property in 1972 and lived there until 2021. An extensive selection of property from Towie Barclay Castle was sold in this saleroom, 27 March 2024, lot 70-165. 
Highly comparable blue and white ‘dragon’ chargers, Qing dynasty, Kangxi mark and of the period, respectively sold at Sotheby's New York, 15 March 2017, lot 501; Christie's London, 13 May 2014, lot 351; and Christie's New York, 19 Sep 2014, lot 854.