AN IMPRESSIVE BLUE AND WHITE 'DRAGON' JAR WANLI MARK AND PERIOD

the sturdily potted ovoid body brilliantly painted in deep cobalt blue, with two striding five-clawed dragons bearing fierce expressions, one attempting to reach for a stylized shou character, immersed in an atmosphere of ruyi-head clouds and flames, above a bed of alternating waves and cliffs at the foot, with a border of ruyi-head foliate scrolls below the petite neck, culminating in a lipped rim

On loan to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (1968-2009).

The jar has a firing crack running around the body approximately 1 inch above the base where the body joins the base. This firing crack is visible on the interior and exterior and has associated minor firing tears on the interior. It does not appear that the base has been detached from the body. There are four vertical hairline cracks running up into the body from this crack measuring between 3 and 4 inches. There are two horizontal looting bands running around the body around which the glaze is cracked in places. These do not give a disfiguring impression. There is overall fine scratching to the surface consistent with age, and there is extensive wear to the glaze on the rim.
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.

The present jar is impressive for its magnificent size and lively depiction of a pair of ferocious dragons. Drawing on a Jiajing design that incorporated the five-clawed dragon, clouds, waves and rocks motifs found on imperial robes, the addition of the lingzhi fungus scroll on the shoulder serves to complement the shou character on the body of the jar. A heightened sense of vivacity of the design has been made possible by the considerable amount of space made available by its large size. Such sizeable jars were extremely difficult to fire and are testament to the technical virtuosity of the Jingdezhen potters of the late Ming period.

A closely related jar is illustrated in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics in the Topkapi Saray Museum, Istanbul, vol. 2, London, 1986, pl. 1328. Another jar of similar design but with a band of foliate scrolls around the foot is included in John Alexander Pope, Chinese Porcelains from the Ardebil Shrine, Washington, 1956, pl. 79, fig. 28.520. Compare also a jar sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 24th November 1987, lot 20, and again, 26th October 2003, lot 123.