Page 126 - Bonham's Asian Art London November 12, 2015
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A WUCAI SQUARE ‘DRAGON’ DISH
Wanli
With gently rounded sides, the interior vividly enameled with a sinuous
winged dragon flying above foaming waves, amidst billowing clouds
and flames, encircled by fishes swimming amidst lotus flower and
leaves above crashing waves, the exterior decorated with flying cranes
separated by billowing clouds, the base with a seated hare mark.
18.5cm (7 1/4in) square
£15,000 - 20,000 CNY150,000 - 190,000
HK$180,000 - 240,000
明萬曆 五彩應龍攀雲紋方盤
Although square dishes appear to have been introduced during the
Jiajing reign, the playful features of the winged dragon was typical of
wares produced during the reign of the Wanli emperor, when freerer
interpretations were preferred to the stereotyped designs of previous
times. Compare the wares depicting winged dragons, dated to the
Wanli reign, illustrated by J.Harrison-Hall, Ming Ceramics in the British
Museum, London, 2001, no.11:140-146, pp.330-331.
124 | BONHAMS
