A FINE GREEN-ENAMEL 'DRAGON' JAR AND COVER SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG

the globular tapering body rising to a rounded shoulder set with a short straight neck, decorated in green enamel with a pair of ferocious dragons, each chasing a 'flaming pearl' amongst scrolling clouds, all beneath a frieze of bajixiang, the cover similarly decorated with a coiled dragon chasing a 'flaming pearl', the recessed base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character reign mark

Sotheby's Hong Kong, 18th May 1988, lot 292.

Apart from some glaze crackles and surface scratches to the enamels, the jar and cover are in overall very good condition. There is a 0.1 cm flake to the glaze to the conch among the bajixiang.
"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."

A similar covered jar painted with two ferocious five-clawed scaly dragons in green enamel and bearing a Qianlong reign mark and of the period, from the notable collection of W.W. Winkworth and illustrated in Soame Jenyns, Later Chinese Porcelain, London, 1951, pl. XCI, fig.2, was sold in these rooms, 29th November 1977, lot 128, and again, 1st November 1999, lot 463. Another jar of this form and decoration is publisehd in Porcelains of the National Palace Museum. Enamelled Ware of the Ch'ing Dynasty, book II, Taipei, 1969, pl. 13; and one is included in Chinese Porcelain in the S.C. Ko Tianminlou Collection, Hong Kong, 1987, pl. 114.

Compare also a covered jar of this type, from the collection of Edward T. Chow, sold in these rooms, 19th May 1981, lot 537; and another similar example in the Jingdezhen Museum, Jiangxi province, illustrated in Heitokuchin jiki, Kyoto, 1982, pl. 118.