A VERY RARE WUCAI SWEETMEAT BOX AND COVER MARK AND PERIOD OF WANLI

the domed cover vibrantly painted with six sinuous ascending and descending dragons in underglaze blue, iron-red and green enamel, separated by pierced cash symbols, reserved on a ground of flames and lotus scroll painted in blue, iron-red, yellow and green, surmounted by a finial knop decorated with upright plantain leaves, the box similarly painted with four striding dragons, the interior of the box divided into a central circular walled compartment surrounded by eight smaller segments, the rims of both box and cover encircled with a key-fret border, the fifth claw of the yellow and iron-red enamelled dragons effaced

Sotheby's London, 9th July 1974, lot 248.
Manno Art Museum, no. 442.
Christie's Hong Kong, 28th October 2002, lot 539.

Sekai Toji Zenshu, vol. 14, Japan, 1976, pl. 108.

The fifth claw on some dragons is effaced and there is characteristic fritting along the exterior of the rims and firing lines, burst air bubbles and minor areas of glaze pull to the interiors. On the box, there are also two small chips to the outer edge of the foot, the largest 0.8x0.5cm. On the cover, the finial has been replaced and there are faint Y-cracks near the cash symbols on the interior, however, the overall condition is still quite good.
"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."

This box and cover appears to be the only published example, although there are several similar variations.  Compare a related box and cover sold in our London rooms 15th July 1957, lot 186 and another in the R.F.A Riesco Collection, Mostra D'arte Cinese, Venice, 1954, cat. no. 722.  Also see Ryoichi Fujioka, Min no Akae, Toj Taikei, vol. 43, Heibonsha,Tokyo, 1972, colorplate 25, and a box painted with dragons and phoenix sold in these rooms, 12th June 1984, lot 248. 

Similar boxes with different polychrome designs can be found in the Idemitsu Museum of Arts, Tokyo, one with butterflies among flowers and rocks, illustrated the Sekai Toji Zenshu, vol. 14, Tokyo, 1976, pl. 109; the other with fish, crabs and waterplants, Chinese Ceramics in the Idemitsu Collection, Tokyo, 1987, pl. 205.