A blue and white 'dragon' double-gourd vase, Mark and period of Jiajing (1522-1566)

Lot 488. A blue and white 'dragon' double-gourd vase, Mark and period of Jiajing (1522-1566); 11.3 cm, 4 1/2  in. Estimate 150,000 — 200,000 HKD. Courtesy Sotheby's.

supported on a countersunk base, the upper bulb with an incurved rim and painted to the exterior with two dragons soaring amidst flames and ruyi-shaped clouds, the lower bulb similarly decorated with two further dragons above crashing waves, the base inscribed with a six-character reign mark.

Note: Small double-gourd vases of this type from the Jiajing period (r. 1522-1566) are rare and only a few related examples appear to have been published; see one from the Qing Court collection and still in Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Blue and White Porcelain with Underglaze Red (II), Hong Kong, 2000, pl. 84; and another, sold in these rooms, 5th October 2016, lot 112. Compare also a vase of this form and size, decorated with dragon medallions reserved on a hexagonal-diaper ground, from the collection of Sir Percival David, sold twice in our London rooms, 15th October 1968, lot 102, and again, 13th March 1973, lot 245; and another sold in these rooms, 4th April 2012, lot 3168.

A rare small blue and white 'dragon' double-gourd vase, Mark and period of Jiajing (1522-1566);  10.7 cm, 4 1/8  in. Sold for 562,500 HKD at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 5th October 2016, lot 112. Courtesy Sotheby's

Cf. my post: A rare small blue and white 'dragon' double-gourd vase, Mark and period of Jiajing (1522-1566)

A rare small blue and white double-gourd 'dragon' vase. Mark and period of Jiajing (1522-1566); 10.8 cm., 4 1/4 in. Sold for 920,000 HKD at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 4th April 2012, lot 3168. Courtesy Sotheby's

Cf. my post: A rare small blue and white double-gourd 'dragon' vase, Mark and period of Jiajing

Sotheby's. Chinese Art, Hong Kong, 31 may 2018, 11:15 AM