A blue and white dragon censer and cover, Ming dynasty, Wanli mark and period (1573-1620).
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The body of rectangular form with four graduated square in-curved legs, the body applied with two animal mask handles, painted with twelve lively five-claw dragons amongst clouds and flames, the stepped cover with bands of ruyi scrolls and trigrams, below a pierced dragon finial. Height 13.5 cm. Length 13.5 cm.
Restored.
Provenance
From the Collection of Art Director Ivar Björnberg (1934-2021). Growing up at Östermalm, Stockholm Ivar visited gallery viewings, auction viewings and antique shops with his parents and alone. It was during his visits to the antique dealers of Stockholm he became friends with the dealer Victoria Lindström, Grev Turegatan 28, Stockholm (she later moved her gallery to Riddargatan). He started to work extra at the gallery and had her as a mentor when starting his own collection. The collection is a academic one and it shows Mr Björnbergs taste and great passion for the aesthetics of Chinese Works of Art.
Literature
Compare a similar sold at Sothebys, Sotheby's London, 04 Nov 09, lot 68.