Yuan‑Dynasty Blue and White Dragon‑Patterned Jar with Twin Beast‑Head Handles

拍品描述

Dimensions：Height 38 cm (14‑15/16 in), Mouth Diameter 15 cm (5‑29/32 in), Yuan Dynasty (13‑14th Century)Condition & Provenance：The jar is substantially intact, free of penetrating cracks or large restorations. Minor glaze frits and surface wear occur along the rim and base edge consistent with age. The rough‑pasted base retains original kiln grit and earth patina. This monumental Yuan blue‑and‑white jar comes from an important private ancient‑ceramic collection based in Boston, Massachusetts. It was obtained from a European antique dealer in the early 1970s and has remained within the same family collection, never consigned to public auction.Description：This imposing Yuan‑dynasty blue‑and‑white jar represents the great technical achievement of early Chinese underglaze‑blue porcelain. It has a thick rolled mouth rim, short sturdy neck, broad rounded shoulder, and tapering ovoid body supported by a substantial flat base. Two powerfully‑modelled mythical‑beast‑head handles project from the shoulders. Decorative registers divide the surface: the neck displays rolling ocean‑wave motifs; the shoulder is painted with lush scrolling peony‑flower scrolls; the main body is dominated by a large dynamically‑coiled five‑clawed dragon soaring among cloud wisps, with sharply‑rendered scales, flowing mane and tail conveying immense vitality. The lower body is framed by a band of stylized upright petal panels. The cobalt pigment shows characteristic deep‑toned blue with natural iron‑rich speckling typical of Yuan imported cobalt. The interior shows thick glaze drips on the neck, a common feature for large‑format Yuan‑dynasty vessels. The base exhibits coarse unglazed sandy‑textured pottery paste with kiln‑site soil encrustation. Large‑size Yuan blue‑and‑white dragon jars with original beast‑head handles are exceedingly scarce. This well‑preserved heavy‑bodied example carries classic Yuan decorative iconography and authentic kiln‑traces, making it a commanding centrepiece for a major Chinese porcelain collection.

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