AN AUBERGINE-GROUND YELLOW AND COBALT-BLUE ENAMELLED ‘DRAGON’ BOWL JIAJING MARK AND PERIOD

the deep rounded sides supported on a tapered foot, the exterior incised and decorated with two yellow-enamelled five-clawed dragons pacing amongst clouds above a lappet band, the interior similarly decorated in cobalt-blue enamels with a central medallion enclosing a sprig of lingzhi, encircled by further lingzhi scrolls and a chevron band, all reserved against an aubergine ground, the base incised with a six-character reign mark within double circles, Japanese wood box

Mayuyama & Co. Ltd, Tokyo.

Gen Min meihin ten [Exhibition of Yuan and Ming ceramics], The Japan Ceramic Society, Tokyo, 1956, cat. no. 149.

The bowl has four hairline rim cracks with associated minute flakes and gilt-lacquer repair, measuring approx. 5cm, 5.5cm, 0.8cm (firing crack) and 5.8cm at 12, 3, 4 and 5o'clock positions respectively. There are two gilt-repaired rim flakes to the exterior at 10 and 12o'clock positions, measuring 0.5x0.4cm and 0.3x0.2cm respectively. The low-temperature cobalt-blue enamel to the interior is misfired with bubbling to the enamels. There is extensive rubbing and scratches predominantly to the base of the interior. The exterior with some short deep scratches. Minor nibbling around the footring. Other minor glaze firing imperfections such as burst glaze bubbles and iron spots.
"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 bowl is unusual in its combination of bright overglaze enamels, reflecting the great level of experimentation exercised by the Jingdezhen potters active in the Jiajing reign. Suzanne G. Valenstein in A Handbook of Chinese Ceramics, New York, 1989, p. 191, notes that potters of the mid-16^th century ‘were adept and imaginative with their palette of enamels and sought to achieve a maximum number of effects’. The use of low-fired cobalt on the interior of this vessel appears to have been inspired by fahua wares produced in both Northern and Southern China from the 14^th century onwards. These glazes are watery when running thin, while deep and opaque when thick, thus allowing the potter to achieve an attractive shading effect. 

Bowls of this type are rare, although a closely related bowl from the Su Lin An collection, was sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 31^st October 1995, lot 322, where the lingzhi scroll on the interior is described as painted in underglaze blue.

Bowls decorated with yellow dragons over an aubergine ground but undecorated on the interior, are more commonly known with Wanli marks and of the period; see one in the British Museum, London, illustrated in Jessica Harrison-Hall, Ming Ceramics, London, 2001, pl. 11:143; and another, from the T.Y. Chao collection, sold twice in our Hong Kong rooms, 16^th May 1977, lot 51, and 19^th May 1987, lot 258.