Yuan Dynasty Blue and White Dragon, Seawater Heavenly Horse & Peony Large Jar with Double Beast Handles, 13th-14th Century

拍品描述

Dimensions：Overall Height 41cm (16.14 in), Maximum Belly Diameter 36cm (14.17 in), 13th to 14th CenturyCondition & Provenance：The jar is fully intact with no cracks, chips or restored sections. The two molded beast-head handles are completely preserved without damage. The cobalt blue pigment presents rich, steady tones with natural iron rust spots settled within the recessed brushstrokes of dragon and floral patterns. The exposed base foot bears authentic aged earth patina, the clay body is dry and compact with no artificial polishing or chemical aging treatments. All border decorations around the mouth rim and lower belly remain sharp and complete, covered by glossy, smooth original glaze. Provenance: Private collection of a veteran antique Chinese porcelain collector based in California, USA. Acquired at a New York antique fair in 1992, passed down within one family for more than thirty years. It was only displayed in a private special exhibition for Yuan blue and white wares in San Francisco, California and has never been consigned to public auction houses.Description：This massive beast-handled blue and white jar represents top-tier official porcelain craftsmanship of the Yuan Dynasty, a monumental complete specimen with fully layered decoration that is extremely rare across global museum and private collections, carrying extraordinary investment and cultural value. The vessel boasts a powerful, imposing silhouette with flared flat mouth, short constricted neck, broad rounded shoulders, bulging mid-belly tapering gently toward the base, and a thick stable foot ring. A pair of three-dimensional mythical beast heads with hollow ring spouts are symmetrically molded on the shoulders, carved with fierce, full facial details. The decorative layout is systematically divided into distinct horizontal bands from top to bottom with well-balanced density: the mouth rim is lined with interlocking diamond geometric brocade pattern; the neck is wrapped with continuous blooming chrysanthemum scrolls; the upper shoulder band features a powerful coiling dragon with finely scaled body, flowing whiskers and surrounding auspicious cloud motifs, conveying overwhelming grandeur. Scalloped cartouches on the shoulder frame galloping heavenly horses set against intricate rolling seawater patterns, symbolizing prosperity and good fortune. The main belly field is fully covered with large peony scrolls, unfurled blossoms and leafy vines rendered with clear light-dark cobalt gradation, the iconic iron speckles sink deep into the clay body, a definitive trait of imported Smalt cobalt ore used in Yuan imperial kilns. A delicate scrolling grass band separates the main floral field from the bottom register, which is decorated with eight standard Yuan lotus petal panels filled with grape sprigs, a hallmark dating marker for authentic Yuan porcelain. The flat base is unglazed, revealing coarse dry clay speckled with natural underground stains and faint russet kiln red, consistent with the base characteristics of large-scale Yuan porcelain vessels. The overall composition is densely packed yet well-structured, executed with bold, unrestrained brushwork that blends the bold heroic aesthetic of nomadic steppe cultures with classical Chinese floral ornamentation. The imported cobalt pigment yields deep blue hues flecked with black iron deposits, trapped beneath the pale bluish-white thick creamy glaze. Complete large-size Yuan blue and white beast jars seldom circulate on the international art market. This example features perfect form, comprehensive canonical decoration, authentic cobalt coloring and flawless original condition. It is a highly sought category for major museum acquisitions and elite antique porcelain collectors throughout California, New York and London, offering premium display appeal, irreplaceable archaeological research value and reliable long-term appreciation potential.

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