A BLUE AND WHITE 'DRAGON' BOX AND COVER MARK AND PERIOD OF JIAJING

of sturdily potted square form with canted corners, painted in soft tones of cobalt-blue on the cover with a pair of confronting five-clawed dragons leaping above jagged rockwork, issuing  from the centre a large peach enclosing the shou character borne on a leafy stems, amid further peach sprigs and lingzhi fungus scrolls, the sides of the box and cover further decorated with dragons striding amid flames and cloud swirls, with bands of scrolling lingzhi at the rims, inscribed on the base with the six-character mark in underglaze-blue

The box: The interior with one firing crack each on two opposite lobed corners. One is 2.5 cm high and extends 2 cm along the rim, showing an associated hairline crack on the exterior. The other corner with crack 2 cm high and 1.8 cm along the rim. Interior of rim with triangular chip approximately 1 cm long, with two tiny associated hairline cracks. Another interior rim corner with shallow chip .5 cm wide. Exterior of box with small shallow chip to rim. Old negligible chips to foot ring. The cover: The top surface with arched hairline crack approximately 20 cm long, which corresponds to a firing flaw on underside of cover with evidence of old staples in an attempt to reinforce the crack. A network of other smaller firing cracks on the underside reveals a smaller area with evidence of the old staple reinforcements. Small firing flaw at an exterior lobe. Fritting to exterior, with surface abrasions. The color is lighter than the catalogue image suggests.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."