Lot 3641. A blue and white 'Dragon' box and cover, mark and period of Jiajing (1522-1566); 16.3 cm, 6 3/8  in. Estimate 100,000 — 150,000 HKD. Lot Sold 600,000 HKD (77,286 USD). Courtesy Sotheby's.

of circular section, the cover with a gently raised central medallion enclosing an en face dragon soaring amidst ruyi clouds, encircled by a frieze depicting a pair of dragons and ruyi clouds decorated to the rounded sides and repeated on the exterior of the box, each mythical beast rendered chasing a flaming pearl amidst flaming wisps, the base inscribed with a six-character reign mark within a double circle.

Provenance: Collection of John Jacob Astor (1763-1848), thence by descent in the family.