Blue‑and‑White Wucai Dragon & Precious Objects Scholar’s Water Pot, Wanli Period Ming Dynasty, 16th‑17th Century

拍品描述

Dimensions: Height 7 cm (2.76 inches), maximum width 9 cm (3.54 inches), Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, 16th-17th century. Condition and Provenance: The porcelain body is dense and fine, with a thick and glossy glaze, showing no signs of acid washing, polishing, or post-firing color additions. The small rim is intact, with smooth edges, free from chips, dents, cracks, or glaze peeling. The rounded and full outer wall is decorated with four circular patterns, depicting coiled dragons and auspicious treasures. The underglaze cobalt blue is deep and rich; the overglaze red, green, and yellow pigments retain the characteristics of the period, adhering firmly to the glaze surface, with no obvious pigment loss or later repainting. The lotus petal pattern below the rim is well-preserved, with smooth and clear lines. The foot rim is neatly trimmed, and the exposed bottom shows faint yellowish-brown rust marks from firing, with a dry, aged earthen texture. The edge of the foot rim shows only slight natural wear over several centuries, without any damage. The base bears a six-character mark, "Made in the Wanli Reign of the Great Ming Dynasty," within a double underglaze blue circle. The calligraphy is pure and the cobalt blue pigment has penetrated deep into the glaze, showing no signs of alteration or reapplication. The areas where the white glaze has chipped off the interior wall remain clean, preserving traces of the Ming dynasty wheel-throwing process, without cracks or hidden damage. This piece originated from the collection of a traditional scholar in Jiangnan and entered the overseas antique market in the 1990s. It is currently in the collection of a private collector in Texas specializing in Ming and Qing polychrome porcelain. Major trading centers for Ming and Qing porcelain include California, New York, and Texas. Description: This Wanli blue-and-white polychrome scholar's water bottle is an exquisite late Ming dynasty study utensil. Its small and elegant shape, with a constricted mouth, full and rounded body, and shallow foot, was specifically designed for a scholar's desk to hold water for grinding ink. The entire body is covered with a thick bluish-white glaze, exhibiting the unique luster and texture of Wanli porcelain. The exterior is decorated with underglaze blue and polychrome enamels. Four segmented decorative patterns depict a majestic coiled dragon, interspersed with scattered Buddhist treasure motifs and cloud patterns. The colors are vibrant and magnificent: underglaze cobalt blue outlines and fills specific areas, while overglaze iron red, grass green, and pale yellow pigments intertwine and blend, showcasing the intense and luxurious beauty unique to late Ming polychrome porcelain. A delicate lotus petal pattern adorns the rim, with a natural and smooth color transition. The foot is meticulously finished, the exposed foot ring exhibiting the characteristic rust color of late Ming porcelain. Within a double blue circle on the base is a flowing six-character Wanli mark. The interior is entirely covered in white glaze and retains a Ming dynasty wheel-throwing mark. Most extant high-quality Wanli polychrome porcelain pieces are large display vessels, while small scholar's water jugs with complete reign marks are relatively rare. This piece exhibits pure colors, a well-preserved glaze, and no obvious signs of repair, fully demonstrating the craftsmanship of late Ming polychrome porcelain. It is an important reference artifact for studying Wanli polychrome paintings, dragon patterns, and late Ming literati study utensils. It exudes a rich oriental literati artistic charm and is an ideal choice for museum special exhibitions of Ming and Qing polychrome porcelain and for seasoned antique porcelain collectors.

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