Yuan Dynasty,14th Century,A Massive Iron‑Red Ground Underglaze‑Blue Porcelain Jar with Dragons amid Peony Scrolls

拍品描述

Dimensions: Height 27.5 cm (10.83 in), Mouth Diameter 17.6 cm (6.93 in), Base Diameter 20.1 cm (7.91 in), 14th century. Condition and Provenance: The jar is intact without cracks. There are slight signs of aging on the rim. The iron-red glaze is well preserved, exhibiting a natural and rustic patina. Private collection, Chicago, Illinois, USA. This jar was acquired in 1965 from a historic Oriental art gallery in Chicago and has since been passed down through the family and held in a private collection, rarely exhibited publicly. Description: This is a large Yuan dynasty iron-red ground blue-and-white jar. It adopts the typical Yuan dynasty jar shape, with a short neck, wide mouth, full shoulders, a raised middle section, and a narrowing lower section, giving it a powerful and robust overall form. The neck is decorated with blue-and-white wave patterns. On the iron-red ground of the shoulders, several powerful dragons coil amidst churning clouds. These dragons have strong and powerful bodies, finely depicted scales, flowing manes, and an imposing presence. A blue dividing line separates the shoulder from the main body of the vessel, which is completely covered by a profusion of underglaze blue peony patterns. The large, full blooms of the peonies, with their intertwined branches and leaves, form the main theme of the design. The foot rim is decorated with lotus petal patterns in the Yuan dynasty style. The interior is glazed in a bluish-white hue. The base is a thick, unglazed, sandy foot rim, bearing natural traces of clay and wear from the years—a typical characteristic of large Yuan dynasty storage jars. The iron-red glaze contrasts sharply with the cobalt blue decoration, showcasing an extremely high level of firing technique; surviving examples are extremely rare. The brushstrokes are vigorous and powerful, the composition full and dynamic. The majestic dragon motif complements the magnificent peony blossoms, perfectly embodying the bold and grand aesthetics of 14th-century Yuan dynasty ceramics, making it a significant example of large painted Yuan dynasty vessels.

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