Xuande Marked Ming Dynasty Sacrificial Red Large Prunus Vase Pair

拍品描述

Dimensions：Single piece overall height 42 cm (16.5 in), mouth diameter 9 cm (3.5 in), 15th Century CECondition & Provenance：This matched pair remains fully intact without cracks, chips, glaze flaking or any restoration touch-ups. The exterior sacrificial red glaze covers the whole body evenly with thick, smooth texture and subtle restrained luster. A ring of clean white glaze lines the rolled lip rim, forming a classic color contrast. A rectangular blue-and-white plaque inscribed with six regular script characters “Da Ming Xuan De Nian Zhi” is affixed to the shoulder with authentic archaic brush strokes. The unglazed foot ring bears natural aged rust-red firing discoloration, and the white glazed base interior is decorated with blue-and-white dragon intertwined with lotus scrolls. The dragon painting features bold powerful outlines, meticulously scaled details and rich saturated cobalt pigment. Only minor natural wear exists on the foot rim from centuries of display, no later repainting or alteration. Classified as Ming and Qing porcelain, this pair left China in the 1980s and has been preserved in a private antique collection owned by a veteran collector based in Manhattan, New York State, USA. The set includes original vintage auction stickers, multi-generational provenance files and official antique ceramic authentication certificate.description：This matched pair of Xuande-marked sacrificial red large prunus vases ranks among the top-tier imperial red glaze display masterpieces of Ming official kilns. Prunus vases served as classic wine storage vessels and grand hall ornaments across dynasties, while Xuande sacrificial red represents the most prestigious copper red glaze category, and intact large-size matched pairs are incredibly scarce on the global antique market. The vases feature authentic standard imperial proportions: tiny rolled lip mouth, short constricted neck, full rounded shoulders, a broad body gently tapering toward the base and a slightly flared foot ring. The overall silhouette is powerful and full, carrying the bold, solemn aesthetic typical of early Ming porcelain. The entire outer surface is fully coated in premium sacrificial red glaze with deep, pure, consistent crimson tone, thick creamy glaze layer and soft subtle sheen formed under precise high-temperature kiln control, free of glaze dripping or accidental bare clay spots. The white glazed rim band is an iconic craft detail of Xuande red wares, creating sharp elegant visual contrast against the deep red body. The rectangular blue-and-white shoulder plaque bears the six-character reign mark rendered in rugged, authentic period calligraphy with vibrant true cobalt blue tone. The foot ring is neatly trimmed with dense solid clay, naturally tinged with ancient kiln rust red along the outer edge. The bright white glazed base center showcases a single five-clawed dragon winding through blooming lotus scrolls. The dragon head looks fierce with flowing whiskers, every scale carved with precision, and full rounded lotus flowers spread across the base with layered blue wash effects, fully inheriting the iconic painting technique of Yongle and Xuande imperial blue-and-white porcelain. Sacrificial red glaze was notoriously difficult to produce in ancient kilns; copper oxide easily turned dark, ran down or burned away under extreme heat. Surviving large intact prunus vases from Xuande reign are already rare, and a matching pair standing at 42 centimeters tall is highly sought after by museums and elite collectors worldwide. Rich red symbolizes imperial legitimacy and lasting prosperous fortune in Chinese culture. Sacrificial red glaze was originally crafted for royal ritual ceremonies before becoming luxury imperial display porcelain. This pair holds irreplaceable research value for ancient ritual culture and imperial kiln firing technology. Displayed together, they deliver magnificent visual presence, with outstanding rarity, artistic charm and stable long-term investment appreciation potential. Collectors specializing in Ming and Qing imperial porcelain across New York, California and other North American art hubs consistently compete heavily for museum-grade matched pairs like this one, making it a top-tier highlight lot for premium auctions and high-end private collections.

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