Lot 333. A rare wucai 'dragon' brushpot, Wanli mark and period (1573-1620); 15.4cm., 6 1/8 in. Estimate 60,000 - 80,000 GBP. Lot sold 301,250 GBP. Photo Sotheby's

of cylindrical form raised on a tiered pedestal, brightly painted to the exterior with four shaped cartouches, each enclosing a dragon in pursuit of a flaming pearl, all divided by detached floral sprays above turbulent waves cresting on mountains, the rim encircled with a keyfret band, the pedestal with bands of scrolling clouds and florets, inscribed to the base with a six-character Wanli mark within a double-circle

Provenance: Acquired by one of the sisters of Sir William Burrell (1861-1958), circa 1920-1930.
Thence by descent.

Note: Extant brushpots from the Wanli period are extremely rare and no other example of this type appears to have been published. The form, which combines the traditional cylindrical form of a brushpot with a stand, has been inspired by a prototype created during the Zhengde reign (1506-21), which in turn appears to have developed from Longquan celadon vessels of the Song period. For a wucai hexagonal brushpot potted with a related stand, see one illustrated in Geng Baochang, Ming Qing ciqi jianding, Hong Kong, 1993, p. 85, pl. 145. This combination of a vessel with its stand is also known from Wanli censers of hexagonal section, such as one decorated with phoenixes in similarly shaped panels, from the Shichizaemon Yuasa collection, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 11thApril 2008, lot 2942..

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art. London | 07 nov. 2012