Lot 276
  • 276

AN EXTREMELY RARE FAHUA 'DRAGON' GARDEN SEAT MING DYNASTY, JIAJING PERIOD

Estimate
50,000 - 70,000 USD
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Description

  • ceramics
of hollow barrel form, boldly incised and glazed in aubergine, green, brown and yellow with a central band around the body enclosing two large five-clawed dragons striding amidst lotus and aquatic plants above a band of crashing waves, all reserved on a yellow ground, framed above and below by bands of raised bosses under a clear glaze, and composite flower scroll borders reserved on a purple ground, the slightly domed top with two confronted dragons similarly depicted amidst lotus

Provenance

European family collection.

Condition

There is extensive restoration around the upper section of the sides, above and just below the upper band of raised bosses. The restoration extends up approx 4 cm into the seat's upper surface, all the way around. The restoration is well done and it is impossible to see the extent of the original damage. There are three minor fine haircracks running down the sides in the yellow-ground section of the body.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

This porcelain stool is impressive for its dynamic and bold design of two five-clawed dragons above waves. While the brilliant and contrasting palette of yellow, aubergine, green and brown is characteristic of fahua wares, the yellow color was rarely used as a color ground. Two very similar stools are in collections of the Palace Museum, Beijing, one illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Furniture of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (I), Hong Kong, 2002, pl. 54; another in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Miscellaneous Enamelled Porcelains. Plain Tricoloured Porcelains, Shanghai, 2009, pl. 192, together with one decorated with dragons over a white ground, pl. 191. A further example in the Shanghai Museum, Shanghai, is published in The Complete Works of Chinese Ceramics. Ming, Shanghai, 2000, vol. 13, pl. 162; and a pair, embellished with metal mounts, from the collection of Edward R. Bacon, was sold in these rooms, 2nd December 1967, lot 69.

Stools of this type were made for both indoor and outdoor use in gardens and courtyards. Known in a variety of media, they were modeled in the shape of drums, with prominent nail heads originally used to keep the skin of the drum stretched.