明嘉靖 青花穿花龍紋四方小罐 《大明嘉靖年製》款

potted with a square-section baluster body surmounted by an upright neck and galleried mouthrim, each side decorated in cobalt blue with a dragon writhing amidst lotus scrolls, all between bands of pendent ruyi petals and upright lappets encircling the shoulder and foot respectively, the neck collared with a key-fret border, the base with a six-character reign mark within a double-square

紐約佳士得1996年9月19日，編號268

The jarlet is in overall good condition with only some typical minor frittings to the rims and minute glaze flakes to the edges. The body also has a horizontal underglazed body line along the luting line.
"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."

Compare a closely related jar, from the collection of F.D. Samuel, sold in our London rooms, 13th May 1969, lot 88 and subsequently in the Idemitsu Museum of Arts, Tokyo, illustrated in the Museum’s 15th Anniversary Catalogue, Tokyo, 1981, pl. 809; another, with its matching cover, published in Sir Harry Garner, Oriental Blue and White, London, 1973, pl. 50 (above); and a third, sold at Christie’s London, 12th December 1988, lot 154a. See also a larger jar of this type in the Shanghai Museum, Shanghai, illustrated in Lu Minghua, Mingdai guanyao ciqi [Ming dynasty imperial ceramics], Shanghai, 2007, pl. 1-55; and another from the collection of Hirano Kotoken, sold at Christie’s New York, 19th September 2007, lot 274.

Jiajing mark and period jars of this facetted shape are also known painted on each side with two confronting dragons, such as one in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Blue and White Porcelain with Underglaze Red (II), Shanghai, 2000, pl. 95; and another published in John Ayers, The Baur Collection, Geneva. Chinese Ceramics, vol. 2, 1959, Geneva, pl. A1555.