A RARE WUCAI SQUARE BOX AND COVER MARK AND PERIOD OF WANLI

the vessel of cubic form, raised on a short tapered foot, rising to a straight mouth with an inner lip, boldly painted on each side in the wucai palette with a rectangular panel of a full frontal ferocious leaping dragon, encircling around a 'flaming pearl' amongst swirling clouds, turbulent waves and craggy rocks, all below a multicolour key-fret band at the mouth, the countersunk base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character reign mark, the fitted cover similarly decorated with two sinuous dragons competing for a 'flaming pearl', all enclosed by a border of meandering foliage, surmounted by a cobalt-blue lion in high relief

There is a minor 5 mm original chip to the inner lip of the container. There are some glaze gaps and stained burst air bubbles, as well as a 5 mm glaze crack, to the edges. The cover has two restored chips (1.5 and 1.8 cm) to the corners, probably with original pieces. It also has some shallow chips to its underside, with the largest measuring only about 1 cm. Although there are some scratches and expected wear to the enamels, most of the decoration has been well preserved. The actual colours are slightly less intense than that of the catalogue illustration.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Wanli boxes of square section are rare and this box is unusual for its vibrant dragon decoration. Compare a Wanli box of this form, enamelled with scenes of boys at play, published in Sekai toji zenshu, vol. 11, Tokyo, 1955, fig. 169; another from the Manno Art Museum, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 28^th October 2002, lot 553; and a third example sold in our London rooms, 15^th December 1981, lot 209.

Compare blue and white decorated boxes of this square form, also with a Wanli reign mark and of the period, such as one painted with boys, sold in our London rooms, 15^th April 1980, lot 260; and another picturing birds amongst trees, also sold in our London rooms, 17^th July 1995, lot 57. A square Jiajing box is illustrated in The Complete Works of Chinese Ceramics, Shanghai, 1999, pl. 179.

Wanli wucai boxes of this size and decoration are known in various forms; for example see a barrel-shaped box published in The Complete Works of Chinese Ceramics, vol. 13, Shanghai, 1999, pl. 120; and a tall five-lobed box in the Idemitsu Museum of Art, Tokyo, included in the exhibition Imperial Overglaze-Enamelled Wares in the Late Ming Dynasty, Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka, 1995, cat. no. 29.