Chenghua Period Ming Dynasty Dou‑cai “Tian” Mark Covered Jar with Kui‑Dragon Scroll

拍品描述

Dimensions：H.12cm Condition & Provenance：Original jar and cover, complete intact, no cracks or chips. Polychrome enamels well preserved, glossy glaze, natural aged patina at foot‑ring, no restoration, no chemical cleaning. From private collection of C·M, Princeton, New Jersey, USA. Acquired in 2018, family inheritance under climate‑controlled storage, never appeared in public auction or museum exhibition. Description：This is an imperial dou‑cai covered jar with “Tian” mark of Chenghua reign, Ming dynasty, classic tian‑zi jar form of Chenghua imperial kiln. Short straight neck, full rounded shoulder, bulging belly tapering downwards with neatly trimmed foot‑ring, fitted with original flat‑top cover. Underglaze‑blue single‑character “Tian” mark painted on base with elegant calligraphy. Yellow‑glazed lotus‑petal frieze encircles below mouth rim and above foot. Main body decorated in dou‑cai with kui‑dragon holding lotus amid scrolling underglaze‑blue clouds. The mythical kui‑dragon is rendered in green enamel, coiled dynamically, head holding lotus blossom, detailed manes and fins, wandering among floating clouds. The cover rim is scattered with iron‑red five‑petal blossoms, cover top painted with dou‑cai kui‑dragon matching jar decoration. Executed in classic dou‑cai technique: outlines drawn in underglaze‑blue, filled with green, yellow and iron‑red overglaze enamels. Cobalt tone is soft and tranquil, overglaze colours mellow and antique with precise filling and smooth lines. Kui‑dragon (grass dragon) symbolizes auspiciousness. Surviving Chenghua dou‑cai tian‑zi jars are extremely rare. This compact well‑proportioned jar features balanced composition and elegant lively ornament, representing top‑tier craftsmanship of Ming imperial porcelain, with outstanding artistic and collectible value.

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