Chenghua Period Ming Dynasty Dou‑cai “Tian” Mark Covered Jar with Sea‑Beast Motif

拍品描述

Dimensions：H.16cm Condition & Provenance：Original jar and knopped cover, complete intact, no cracks or chips. Enamels well‑preserved, thick lustrous glaze, natural inherited patina on foot‑ring, no restoration, no chemical cleaning. From private collection of R·K, Dallas, Texas, USA. Acquired in 2020, family inheritance under climate‑controlled storage, never appeared in public auction or museum exhibition. Description：This is a precious imperial dou‑cai “Tian” mark covered jar of Chenghua kiln, Ming dynasty. It has straight mouth, short neck, full shoulder, plump belly tapering toward neatly trimmed foot‑ring, fitted with original knob‑shaped cover. Single underglaze‑blue character “Tian” at base in elegant calligraphy. The knob is decorated with underglaze‑blue lotus‑petal pattern, cover top painted with green‑colored dragon, cover rim encircled by green scrolling cloud border. Two bands of yellow plantain‑leaf ornaments decorate below mouth rim and above foot, with clear vein details. The main body is fully decorated with dou‑cai sea‑beast scene. Vigorous underglaze‑blue surging waves occupy lower section. Several mythical sea beasts gallop above waves. The principal beast is rendered in iron‑red enamel with flying mane, powerful body and unfolded wings, accompanied by yellow‑enamel sea beast in dynamic galloping pose, interspersed with underglaze‑blue auspicious cloud patterns. All outlines are drawn in underglaze‑blue, then filled with iron‑red, yellow and green overglaze enamels. The cobalt blue tone is mild and quiet, overglaze colours are rich and mellow with meticulous colour‑filling and forceful fluent lines. Sea‑beast motif symbolizes peaceful seas and universal auspiciousness. Surviving Chenghua dou‑cai tian‑zi jars are extremely rare. This large‑sized jar has substantial shape, rich layered decoration and abundant colours, embodying supreme porcelain‑making and painting craftsmanship of Chenghua imperial workshop, with remarkable cultural relic and collectible value.

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