Lot 3115. A fine and rare late Ming blue and white rectangular 'dragon' covered box, Wanli six-character mark within double-rectangles and of the period (1573-1619); 9 3/8 in. (23.9 cm.) wide. Estimate HK$1,000,000 - HK$1,500,000. Price Realized HK$980,000 ($126,714). © Christie's Images Ltd 2010.

Of rectangular form with canted corners, decorated in vibrant tones of cobalt-blue to the cover with a rectangular panel enclosing two five-clawed dragons in mutual pursuit of a 'flaming pearl' amidst cloud swirls and above rolling waves crashing against rockwork, the rounded sides of the box and cover with stylised peony scrolls and Precious Emblems at the eight corners, the rims encircled by keyfret bands, Japanese wood box.

Provenance: A Japanese private collection 

Note: Boxes of this pattern include one in the Illustrated Catalogue of the Tokyo National Museum. Chinese Ceramics, vol. II, Japan, 1990, no. 108; one in the Lauritzen Collection, Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, Stockholm, illustrated in Oriental Ceramics, Kodansha Series, vol. 8, Japan, 1982, pl. 245; one included in the Exhibition of Yuan and Ming Ceramics, The Japan Ceramic Society, Tokyo, 1956, illustrated in the Catalogue, no. 163; and another sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 1 November 2004, lot 1090 but few examples exhibit the vibrancy and definition in the cobalt blue found on the present box and cover.

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 1 December 2010, Hong Kong