- 333
A RARE WUCAI 'DRAGON' BRUSHPOT WANLI MARK AND PERIOD
Estimate
60,000 - 80,000 GBP
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Description
- porcelain
of cylindrical form raised on a tiered pedestal, brightly painted to the exterior with four shaped cartouches, each enclosing a dragon in pursuit of a flaming pearl, all divided by detached floral sprays above turbulent waves cresting on mountains, the rim encircled with a keyfret band, the pedestal with bands of scrolling clouds and florets, inscribed to the base with a six-character Wanli mark within a double-circle
Provenance
Acquired by one of the sisters of Sir William Burrell (1861-1958), circa 1920-1930.
Thence by descent.
Thence by descent.
Condition
This rare vessel is in very good condition with the exception of a 5mm., repaired rim flake and a 2mm., diam., rim chip, light scratching to the iron-red decoration and light glaze scratches.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
Extant brushpots from the Wanli period are extremely rare and no other example of this type appears to have been published. The form, which combines the traditional cylindrical form of a brushpot with a stand, has been inspired by a prototype created during the Zhengde reign (1506-21), which in turn appears to have developed from Longquan celadon vessels of the Song period. For a wucai hexagonal brushpot potted with a related stand, see one illustrated in Geng Baochang, Ming Qing ciqi jianding, Hong Kong, 1993, p. 85, pl. 145. This combination of a vessel with its stand is also known from Wanli censers of hexagonal section, such as one decorated with phoenixes in similarly shaped panels, from the Shichizaemon Yuasa collection, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 11thApril 2008, lot 2942.
A series of porcelains designed for the imperial writing desk was devised by the imperial kilns in the Wanli reign, including ink stones, brush rests, brush boxes, brush trays, brush handles and brushpots. See wares of related dragon design that would have formed part of a set, such as a brush box similarly painted with dragons and with cloud scrolls on a shaped footrim and ‘S’ scrolls encircling the cover, sold several times at auction, most recently at Christie’s London, 16th June 1986, lot 75; a five-peak dragon brush rest, from the collection of Edward T. Chow, sold twice in our Hong Kong rooms, 25th November 1980, lot 33, and again, 29th October 2001, lot 502; a brush tray, from the Hirota collection in the Tokyo National Museum, illustrated in Oriental Ceramics. The World’s Great Collections, vol. 1, Tokyo, 1982, col. pl. 76; and a brush handle, from the Meiyintang collection, illustrated in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, vol. 2, London, 1994, pl. 708, and sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 5th October 2011, lot 38.
A series of porcelains designed for the imperial writing desk was devised by the imperial kilns in the Wanli reign, including ink stones, brush rests, brush boxes, brush trays, brush handles and brushpots. See wares of related dragon design that would have formed part of a set, such as a brush box similarly painted with dragons and with cloud scrolls on a shaped footrim and ‘S’ scrolls encircling the cover, sold several times at auction, most recently at Christie’s London, 16th June 1986, lot 75; a five-peak dragon brush rest, from the collection of Edward T. Chow, sold twice in our Hong Kong rooms, 25th November 1980, lot 33, and again, 29th October 2001, lot 502; a brush tray, from the Hirota collection in the Tokyo National Museum, illustrated in Oriental Ceramics. The World’s Great Collections, vol. 1, Tokyo, 1982, col. pl. 76; and a brush handle, from the Meiyintang collection, illustrated in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, vol. 2, London, 1994, pl. 708, and sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 5th October 2011, lot 38.