Lot 1662. A blue and white 'dragon' vase, Kangxi period (1662-1722); 10¾ in. (27.3 cm.) high. Estimate USD 30,000 - USD 50,000. Price Realized USD 43,750. © Christie's Images Ltd 2011.
The attenuated ovoid body well painted with two four-clawed dragons leaping vertically amidst flames in pursuit of flaming pearls, below bands of herringbone, scrolls and dots at the base of the neck which rises to a wide mouth with flaring rim.
Provenance: John Sparks, London, July 1937
Paul Berwald Collection.
Falk Collection no. 264.
The Falk Collection, Christie's, New York, 21 September 2001, lot 154.
Exhibited: Chinese Ceramics from the Prehistoric Period through Ch'ien Lung, Los Angeles County Museum, 1952, no. 368.
Dragons in Chinese Art, China House Gallery, China Institute in America, New York, 1972, pl. 56.
The Auspicious Dragon in Chinese Decorative Arts, Kantonah Gallery, Katonah, New York, 1978, no. 56.
Note: Compare the Kangxi-marked vase with straight neck painted with a similar vertically leaping dragon from the collection of Stephen Junkunc III, illustrated in Chinese Ceramics from the Prehistoric Period through Ch'ien Lung, Los Angeles County Museum, 1952, no. 369, and later sold in these rooms, 21 September 1995, lot 216.
Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Part I and Part II Including Property from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, New York, 24 March 2011
