Lot 4069. A rare Ming wucai square box, Wanli six-character mark within double-circles and of the period (1573-1619), 5 5/8 in. (14.3 cm.) square. Estimate HKD 220,000 - HKD 280,000. Price realised HKD 275,000 © Christie's Images Ltd 2012

The box with a recessed mouth rim is decorated on each vertical side a rectangular panel containing alternating red and green five-clawed dragon flanking a 'flaming pearl', amid flames and ruyi-shaped cloud scrolls, and above a mountain and sea wave border. The box is supported on a recessed foot with the base bearing the mark, Japanese wood box, lacquer cover.

Note: Boxes of this pattern and shape are rare. A wucai box and cover of the same pattern from the Yokogawa Collection is included in the Illustrated Catalogue of the Tokyo National Museum, Chinese Ceramics II, Tokyo, 1990, no. 324. A very similar example fitted with the original cover was sold at Christie's Paris, 10 June 2009, lot 125.

Compare to a similar square box decorated with boys at play from the Manno Art Museum sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 28 October 2002, lot 553; and another square box decorated with pairs of dragons, but of slightly different form, sold at Hong Kong Christie's, 30 May 2005, lot 1458. 

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 30 May 2012, Hong Kong, HKCEC Grand Hall