A BLUE AND WHITE QUATREFOIL 'DRAGON' BOX AND COVER WANLI MARK AND PERIOD

of almost square section with indented corners, painted in vivid cobalt-blue tones with a lively five-clawed dragon flying amongst flame and cloud scrolls on a raised panel encompassed by a further frieze of four dragons striding amongst clouds and lingzhi sprays at the corners on the rounded sides, repeated on the box, the rims decorated with bands of scrolling lingzhi, the base with a six-character Wanli mark

This box and cover is in reasonable condition. There is a 4mm wide chip to the rim of the base with an associated 2.7cm crack to the body, There is also a 3cm long firing crack to the adjacent side, which is almost 1mm in width at the rim. There is several firing cracks to the interior rim of the cover and burst pin holes, iron spots and scratches to the glaze to the interior base and cover. There is also some scratches to the outside of the cover and base.
"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."

Compare a related box and cover with a similar design of a dragon, but holding a medallion above its head, published in Jessica Harrison-Hall, Ming Ceramics in the British Museum, London, 2001, pl. 11:129; another sold in these rooms, 13-14^th November 1972, lot 373; and a Jiajing mark and period example, included in the exhibition Ming Blue-and-White, Philadelphia Museum, Philadelphia, 1949, cat. no. 111. Wanli boxes of this form decorated with various dragon scenes are known; for example see one with two dragons flanking a central peach tree, sold in our New York rooms, 19^th November 1982, lot 246; and another with two dragons in pursuit of a flaming pearl within a shaped panel, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Blue-and-White Ware of the Ming Dynasty, bk. VI, Hong Kong, 1963, pl. 7.

Boxes of all shapes and sizes were made during the Wanli period, some in specifically conceived shapes such as the long rectangular examples used to hold fans, and others such as the present example which may have been used as a container for a gift of sweetmeats.