明萬曆 青花纏枝蓮花龍紋長方蓋盒 《大明萬曆年製》款

of rectangular form with bombé sides and indented corners, supported on a low rectangular foot, deftly painted in shaded tones of cobalt, the raised top with two five-clawed dragons vying for a 'flaming pearl' among ruyi-shaped clouds, one plunging the other leaping above a tempestuous sea breaking against jagged rocks, the sides decorated with upright pomegranate flowers wreathed in curling foliate stems, divided by ruyi-petalled flowers supporting auspicious emblems at the corners and repeated around the box, the raised rims picked out with key-fret, the foot encircled by a cusped fillet, the base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character reign mark within double squares

倫敦蘇富比1991年6月11日，編號160

The box and cover are in overall good condition. there are a few old shallow chips to the interior rim, the longest 3 cm. There are a few light scratches and expected imperfections in the glaze.
"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 Wanli box of this type is published in the Illustrated Catalogue of Tokyo National Museum. Chinese Ceramics, vol. 2, Tokyo, 1990, pl. 108; one from the Lauritzen collection in the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, Stockholm, is included in   L. Reidemeister, Ming-Porzellane ind schwedischen Sammlungen, Berlin,  Leipzig, 1935, pl. 38; another from the collection of Chester Beatty was sold in our London rooms, 12th June 2003, lot 150; and a fourth example was sold in our New York rooms, 23rd March 2010, lot 1.

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