A rare small anhua wine cup - Wanli six-character mark and of the period

The white-glazed cup entirely unadorned except for a design impressed in shallow relief on the interior wall of the cup, depicting two coiling dragons of typical late Ming style striding in mutual pursuit of small flaming pearls. 6 cm (2¼in) diam. - Sold for £8,500 plus Premium and tax

Footnote: For a similar example with less evident decoration and dated to the Jiajing period, see Shimmering Colours, Monochromes of the Yuan to Qing Periods. The Zhuyuetang Collection, Hong Kong 2005, p.68, pl.12.

Bonhams. Fine Asian Art, 6 Nov 2006. New Bond Street