Page 84 - Ming Porcelain Auction March 14, 2017 Sotheby's, NYC

82 SOTHEBY’S NEW YORK 14 MARCH 2017 MING: THE INTERVENTION OF IMPERIAL TASTE

PROPERTY FROM A JAPANESE FAMILY COLLECTION

A LARGE AND FINELY PAINTED BLUE AND WHITE
‘DRAGON’ GARLIC-MOUTH BOTTLE VASE
WANLI MARK AND PERIOD

sturdily potted in the manner of the pear-shaped body
supported on a short foot, tapering to a tall neck with
a garlic-head mouth and upright mouth rim, the body
painted with two pairs of of sinuous ve-clawed dragons,
alternately descending and ascending in pursuit of ‘ aming
pearls’ amidst a composite oral scroll, all above oral
scroll and lappets at the foot, and below a border of ruyi at
the shoulder, the waisted neck painted with lotus scrolls
beneath strings of beads suspending jewels and precious
objects, below a pendent sti leaf band, the six-character
reign mark inscribed in a horizontal line within a rectangular
cartouche at the rim, wood stand, Japanese wood box (4)

Height 21½ in., 54.5 cm

EXHIBITED
Kyoto National Museum, 1950s-60s until 2015 (on loan).

1950-1960 2015
$ 300,000-500,000