Wanli Period, Ming Dynasty, 16th Century, Wucai Garlic‑Mouth Vase with Fish‑and‑Aquatic‑Plant Motifs, six‑character “Da Ming Wan‑Li Nian Zhi” reign mark on rim

拍品描述

Dimensions：Height 40 cm (15.75 in) Condition & Provenance：Perfect condition. Vibrant layered wucai enamels, natural inherited patina. Private Collection, San Francisco, California, USA. Acquired from Europe in 1947, passed down within family, no prior auction history. Sand‑textured foot‑ring base. Description：This is an important imperial‑ware garlic‑mouth vase of the Wanli reign. It features bulbous garlic‑shaped mouth, slender tapering neck, broad shoulder, generously rounded body and substantial foot‑ring. A horizontal six‑character “Da Ming Wan‑Li Nian Zhi” mark is painted within blue‑cartouche at the rim. The neck is decorated with winter‑plum blossoms gnarled branches with profuse blooms. The main body is richly painted with wucai fish‑and‑pond scene: numerous carp swim dynamically among water weeds, lotus leaves and duckweed, interspersed with crabs and shrimps. Thick saturated red enamel defines the fish, fine parallel lines render rippling water, carrying the auspicious meaning of surplus and prosperity. Ornamental bands of ruyi‑cloud and scrolling foliage frame the composition above and below, exhibiting the dense exuberant aesthetic characteristic of late‑Ming wucai porcelain. The glaze is soft and lustrous, with brilliant interplay of red, green, blue and yellow enamels. The sand‑textured base shows robust porcelain body with gentle age‑related wear. Large intact Wanli wucai garlic‑mouth vases with fish‑aquatic‑plant decoration are scarce, standing as representative late‑Ming imperial display porcelain.

图片