Lot 316. A Blue and White 'Dragon' Box and Cover, Mark and period of Wanli (1573-1620). 19.4 cm, 7 5/8  in.. Estimate 150,000 — 200,000 HKD. Lot sold 200,000 HKD (21,496 EUR). Courtesy Sotheby's

of rectangular form with indented corners, the top of the cover vividly painted with a lobed panel enclosing a pair of five-clawed dragons ferociously writhing amongst clouds contesting a flaming pearl, above waves crashing against jagged mountains, all reserved against a diaper ground, the sides of the cover and box variously painted with rectangular panels of fruiting peach trees and birds, all divided at the corners by stylised lotus sprays supporting the babao (Eight Treasures), the rims bordered by bands of swirls and the foot with stylised mountains and waves, inscribed to the base with a six-character reign mark in three columns within a double rectangle.

Provenance: Collection of T.Y. Chao (1912-1999), and thence by descent in the family.

Note: Compare a similar box in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in the Catalogue of a Special Exhibition of Dragon-motif Porcelain in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1983, cat. no. 37; one from the Falk Collection, sold at Christie's New York, 20th September 2001, lot 144 and again in these rooms, 10th April 2006, lot 1675; and another sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 1st November 2004, lot 1092.