Plate with dragons, Ming dynasty (1368-1644), Zhengde mark of the period (1506-1521). Porcelain with incised decoration under single color enamel. H. 1 7/8 in x Diam. 9 in, H. 4.8 cm x Diam. 22.9 cm. The Avery Brundage Collection, B60P2091 © 2016 Asian Art Museum Chong-Moon Lee Center for Asian Art and Culture.

This type of green-over-white decoration was originally produced in the Chenghua era and lasted for a long period. It was used for formal wares for the palace tables. Most of these works are dishes and bowls, with occasional jars. On this piece, the five-clawed dragon curling among cloud heads is colored in green enamel over incised lines, which appears to emphasize the scales of the dragon. The theme, set over a background of hidden waves, is repeated on the inner bottom and outside. The thin claws and the tassel on the dragon are characteristic of middle Ming dynasty ceramics.