A square blue and white dish, Ming dynasty, Jiajing mark and period (1522-1566).
A thickly potted square dish with flared sides rising to a slightly everted rim. Square panel enclosing two five-clawed dragons contesting a peach with the symbol 'Shou' (longevity), amidst cloud swirls above rolling waves crashing against rockwork, surrounded by meandering skinny leafy stems. Each side of the exterior with leaping five clawed writhing dragons above rolling waves, chasing the flaming pearl. Brass mount to rim. Carries a six-character reign mark. Measurements 25,5 x 25,8 cm.
Wear. Chips underneth brass mount.
Provenance
From the Emil Hultmark Collection, thence by decent.
Exhibitions
Exhibited at Kungliga Akademin för de fria konsterna, Emil Hultmarks Samling, Stockholm 1942 i, Sveriges Allmänna Konstförening, lot no 385, page 45.
More information
In the Jiajing reign—from 1522 to 1566—blue and white porcelain was characterized by a brilliant rich blue, and decorations of Taoist symbols such as the Eight Immortals or the shou dominate. In everyday pieces we see children’s games, dragons, phoenixes and floral motifs depicted.