A RARE BLUE AND WHITE 'DRAGON' JAR AND COVER MARK AND PERIOD OF JIAJING

of sturdily potted shouldered form with rounded sides tapering towards the wide base and surmounted by a short neck, boldly painted in vivid tones of soft cobalt-blue with a pair of scaly dragons flying through cloud swirls and flames, the winged-beasts with sinous bodies and long curling tails bearing gaping jaws and sharp fangs, all set between a band of pendant lotus petals at the shoulder and rising lappets around the foot, the neck with a pattern of circles, surmounted by a cover decorated with pomegranate scrolls around a lotus knop, the base inscribed with the six-character mark within double-circles 

Lempertz, Cologne, 29th November 1980, lot 1132.
Sotheby's London, 10th December 1982, lot 194.
A Private Japanese Collection.

To the jar, there are three areas which have been restored to a high standard: one hairline of approx 25cm which extends down from the rim and then runs horizontally; the second hairline which runs down from the bottom half of the jar and forks down onto the base; and the third hairline which extends down from the rim and then runs horizontally approx 5cm. There is another hairline crack of approx 8.5cm, which runs down from the lappet band and across the foot and onto the base. There is fritting to the mouthrim. To the cover, there is a shallow flake on the interior of approx 1.5 by 1cm. There is fritting to the rim, and scratches and expected wear to the surface.
"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."

While Jiajing dragon jars of this type are known, the present piece is notable for its unusual depiction of the dragon. With the curling bifurcated tail and wings of the yingchi dragon combined with the head, scales and dorsal spine of the long or mang dragon, the painter has created a unique type of dragon and no other piece with this creature appears to have been published. Closer in resemblance to a fish than four-legged lizard-like creatures characteristic of long dragons, the stylised crashing waves suggests it is a water creature and is thus particularly suited to the present depiction of the dragon.

A slightly larger jar of similar design, but with two four-legged chi dragons chasing flaming pearls amongst clouds below a band of lotus petals, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, is published in Porcelain of the National Palace Museum. Blue-and-White Ware of the Ming Dynasty, Book V, Hong Kong, 1963, pl. 14. See also a slightly smaller example, but missing its cover, sold in our London rooms, 15th June 1982, lot 288, and again in these rooms, 8th October 2006, lot 1170; one from the Hay collection, sold in our London rooms, 16th June 1939, lot 72; and a third jar sold in our New York rooms, 4th December 1984, lot 325.