A CHINESE WUCAI 'LOTUS POND' BOWL. Ming Dynasty, Longqing mark and of the period. The rounded sides supported on a cylindrical foot, the exterior decorated in underglaze blue and red, green and yellow enamels, to depict a continuous scene of four ducks frolicking on the rippling water of a lotus pond among flowering lotus plants water lily leaves and pond weeds, above a lappet border, the foot with a scrolling band against a red ground, the interior with a front-facing five-clawed dragon among clouds and flames, against a red ground, within a circular roundel, the base with a six character reign mark, 20.4cm diameter. 明隆庆 五彩绘莲池纹盌，青花「大明隆庆年制」款 Porcelain from the six year reign of the Longqing emperor, 1567-1572, is very rare. Wucai pieces were particularly appreciated by the Imperial court, and the style of the pieces is reminiscent of the porcelain of the late Jiajing and early Wanli periods.