Large Jar with Five Claw Dragons, Wanli Mark and Period (1573-1620). Photo courtesy Vanderven Oriental Art.

Height: 52cm Diameter: 46cm - Price & Condition on request

Provenance: • Private collection, Northern France until 2013. 
• Purchased by Leon Bachelier ( 1887 – 1912 ) who was a close and personal friend of George Eurmofopolous. 

A massively potted jar with bold and dense decoration in deep underglaze blue. Decorated on the shoulder with flower garlands, the main body depicting two five claw dragon soaring through flames and clouds. Between the dragons a snake is curling in the shape of a Chinese character for longevity (Shou) in seal script. Around the foot of the jar is a stylized pattern of waves and rocks.  

Snake script is rarely seen in decoration, and was more common in the earlier Jiaqing period and also known depicting the characters for happiness (fu) and prosperity (lu). In the Wanli period this script is gradually replaced by trees and plant motifs in the shape of characters. The centre of the base bears the six character mark of Emperor Wanli in two rows of regular script (Kaishu) in a double circle.  

Similar example, almost identical is in the Shanghai Museum  

Literature: Catalogue Gemeentemuseum The Hague, Sovereign Splendor - Imperial Porcelain From the Shanghai Museum, The Hague, 2011, nr. 4 p. 24-25. 

Vanderven Oriental Art - http://www.vanderven-vanderven.com/