Yongzheng Period, Ink‑Black, Gilt and Iron‑Red Seal‑Paste Box with Dragon‑and‑Sea‑Wave Motif

拍品描述

Dimensions: 3 cm high, 7 cm wide. Condition and Provenance: Complete and intact, without cracks or damage. The lid fits perfectly. The black, iron-red, and gilded enamels are well-preserved, with natural signs of aging in the gilding. Clear firing marks are visible on the bottom; no chemical cleaning was performed. Formerly in the private collection of James Hopkins, Princeton, New Jersey, USA, acquired in the 1990s as a family heirloom. Never publicly auctioned, exhibited, or published. Description: A Yongzheng period imperial porcelain inkpad box, used in a scholar's study. The body is flat and round, with a perfectly fitting lid, made of fine and dense porcelain clay. The entire piece is covered in white glaze. The exterior and lid rim are decorated with a turbulent sea scene painted in black enamel, with smooth and sharp lines. A majestic dragon leaps from the waves on the lid, its body painted in iron-red with finely carved scales. The dragon's horns, whiskers, and flame patterns are all adorned with gilded decorations. The majestic dragon, with its wide-open eyes and flowing mane, soars amidst rolling clouds, exuding an imposing aura and displaying imperial majesty. The interior is glazed in pure white. The foot rim is gilded; the base bears the four-character underglaze blue seal script inscription "Made in the Yongzheng Reign," revealing subtle firing marks. This box exhibits exquisite brushwork, rich ink tones, a full and deep iron-red hue, and opulent gilding decoration, making it a standout among Yongzheng-era literati porcelain.

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