AN EXTREMELY RARE YELLOW-GROUND AND GREEN-ENAMELLED 'DRAGON AND PHOENIX' DOUBLE GOURD VASE MARK AND PERIOD OF JIAJING

the lower bulb of square form, the exterior incised and painted in green enamel against a yellow ground, depicting dragons and phoenix amid clouds below a ruyi band, the upper bulb similarly decorated with lotus scrolls below plantain leaves, the white base inscribed with a six-character mark in underglaze blue

It appears that the vase has been misfired with firing cracks throughout and associated flakes, in addition to enamel discolouration. The firing crack at the neck has been reinforced with rivets at some point but are now removed. There are also a few infills but the vase is otherwise in structural good condition.
"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."

Brightly coloured porcelains with vivid designs on a contrasting ground were a speciality of the Jiajing reign, when many new colour combinations were experimented with. The decoration on the current vase in yellow and green is extremely rare, and no other example appears to be published in any museum or private collection.

The form of the current vase, consisting of a square lower bulb and globular upper bulb, exists on larger blue and white vases, such as one from the Palace Museum, Beijing, but with a different design of medallions enclosing the Eight Immortals on the lower section, and crane among clouds decorating the upper section, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Blue and White with Underglazed Red (II), Beijing, 2000, pl. 85.