UNDERGLAZE-BLUE WANLI SIX-CHARACTER MARK WITHIN A DOUBLE SQUARE AND OF THE PERIOD (1573-1619)

Details

A RARE MING BLUE AND WHITE 'DRAGON' BRUSH-REST
UNDERGLAZE-BLUE WANLI SIX-CHARACTER MARK WITHIN A DOUBLE SQUARE AND OF THE PERIOD (1573-1619)
The curved brush-rest modelled and pierced with five peaks, each in the form of a writhing dragon above a mountain range, the details freely painted in shades of vibrant cobalt blue, the reign mark inscribed in a line on the countersunk base, hairline crack
6¾ in. (11.2 cm.) wide

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Lot Essay

Wanli-marked blue and white brush-rests of this type can be found with five peaks and with three peaks, although those with five peaks appear to be rare. There are also wucai versions which are more common than the blue and white ones. Examples of blue and white five-peak brushrests include one illustrated by J. Ayers, The Baur Collection, Vol. II, Geneva, 1969, pl. A188; one in the Musée Guimet, illustrated by D. Lion-Goldshmidt, Les Poteries et Porcelaines Chinoises, pl. XVI (E); and another in the Seattle Art Museum, included in the China Institute of America Exhibition of Dragons in Chinese Art, 1972, illustrated in the Catalogue, no. 47.

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