Ming Wanli Blue‑and‑White Gourd Vase with Interlocking Lotus Scrolls

拍品描述

Dimensions: Height 42 cm. Condition and Provenance: The piece is in good condition, with slight signs of aging on the rim. The glaze is generally well-preserved, without cracks or damage, and the layered lotus flower decoration is clear and complete. The unglazed sandy base retains the dry, original clay texture. The foot ring shows natural firing rust, earth patina, and patina accumulated over time. It has not been repaired or chemically cleaned. It comes from the private collection of Mr. C.F. in New York City, New York, USA. This piece was purchased in 1978 from an Asian antiques gallery in Manhattan and has been kept in a private family's temperature- and humidity-controlled storage room. There is no prior auction record, nor has it been publicly exhibited or documented. Description: This is a large blue-and-white gourd-shaped vase from the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. The shape is a classic double-spherical form, with a small, straight mouth, a compact upper sphere, and a full, rounded lower sphere. The overall shape is dignified and elegant. The body is decorated with layered cobalt blue patterns: the neck and rim are decorated with vertical geometric patterns and floral designs. The upper sphere is dominated by a large, intertwined lotus flower pattern, with the lotus stems winding and spiraling. The waist, separating the upper and lower spheres, is decorated with scrolling foliage. The lower sphere is primarily decorated with blooming lotus scrolls and lush lotus leaves. Near the base, geometric and stylized lotus petal patterns adorn the edges. The decorative pattern is dense yet orderly. The glaze is a soft blue-white, with a bright and vivid cobalt blue, exhibiting the natural tonal variations characteristic of late Ming dynasty mineral pigments. The base is an unglazed sandy surface, made from coarse early clay. The gourd shape symbolizes wealth and blessings in Chinese culture. Such a well-preserved large piece is a prime example of late Ming dynasty blue-and-white porcelain.

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