Lot 2681. An extremely rare yellow and iron-red 'dragon' bowl, mark and period of Wanli (1573-1620); 15 cm., 5 7/8 in. Estimate 400,000 — 600,000 HKD. Lot Sold 3,620,000 HKD. Courtesy Sotheby's 2010.

the deep rounded sides rising from a short tapering foot to an everted rim, freely painted around the exterior with two large scaly five-clawed yellow dragons in pursuit of a 'flaming pearl' outlined in iron-red, all amidst ruyi-head cloud and fire scrolls, the foot with a keyfret band, the base with an underglaze blue six-character mark.

Provenance: A Japanese Collection.