Ming Wanli Blue‑and‑White Rectangular Brush Box with Sea‑Wave and Dragon Motif

拍品描述

Dimensions：H.10cm，W.32cm（H.0.328ft，W.1.049ft） Condition & Provenance：Original matching cover and base are fully preserved, no cracks, no major chips. Minor glaze wear on fitting rim from long‑term usage. The glaze carries soft luster and natural aged patina with minor earth discoloration. Unglazed base bears solid clay with natural iron‑red patina and age‑related soil erosion, all original historic condition. No modern restoration and no chemical cleaning. From private collection of D·G, Princeton, New Jersey, USA. Collector focused on Ming scholar‑studio blue‑and‑white porcelain. Acquired from Princeton oriental antique shop in 2002, family inherited collection, stored in climate‑controlled cabinet, never offered in public auction and museum exhibition. Description：This is an official‑ware blue‑and‑white long scholar‑studio box with rounded corners, produced at Jingdezhen kiln during Wanli reign of Ming dynasty. Made with fitted mortise‑and‑tenon rim, it was designed for storing writing brushes and paper slips. Top surface of lid is decorated with brocade‑ground landscape medallions with fine dense grid pattern. On lateral side of lid, six‑character mark “Da Ming Wan Li Nian Zhi” in regular script is framed within panel, flanked by scrolling foliage, calligraphy consistent with Wanli official‑ware style. Outer wall of base features continuous painting of double dragons surging above sea‑wave and rock motif, powerful dragons with outstretched claws dart among billowing waves in imposing composition. Diamond‑shaped brocade pattern frames upper and lower edges of box body, dense and ornate decoration typical of Wanli aesthetic. Unglazed sandy base shows firm clay with natural iron‑red tint. Multiple shaped hollow storage slots are designed inside, interior covered by bluish‑white glaze with ancient soil residue. Bright saturated cobalt blue is characteristic of Hui‑qing cobalt material of Wanli era, drawing lines are elaborate and fluent with rich layers. Complete surviving Wanli official‑ware scholar‑studio long box is relatively rare, representing important late‑Ming scholar‑studio artifact and fine craftsmanship of Wanli imperial porcelain.

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