A unique and outstanding imperial blue and white 'dragon' ewer,
明永樂 御製青花雲龍紋執壺
An exceptional imperial blue and white ewer from the Yongle period of the Ming dynasty, masterfully decorated with mirrored five-clawed dragons amidst cloud scrolls and lotus motifs. The vessel exemplifies the pinnacle of imperial ceramic production with its precise construction and exquisite painted details.
- Medium
- masterfully constructed with striking precision and the upper elements of the vessel forming a straight line, the pear-shaped body resting on a splayed foot and rising to a slender neck and flared, galleried rim, flanked by a slender curved spout and a grooved strap handle with an eyelet for attachment to the cover, each main side of the vessel gently flattened and decorated with a subtly raised peach-shaped panel painted in rich cobalt-blue tones with a powerfully rendered five-clawed dragon soaring with an upturned head amidst flaming wisps detailed with ruyi-heads, the two dragons skilfully portrayed in direct mirror image, all above a frieze of stylised cloud scrolls encircling the lower body above the key-fret bordered footrim, all below borders of lotus petals and foliate motifs around the neck, interrupted by the strap handle on one side where it joins the neck, the handle elegantly formed with a ruyi-head terminal where it meets the body of the vessel, further painted along its length with a foliate lotus scroll, all enclosed within a double-line border, the lotus motif echoed on the opposite side at the base of the spout and rendered in a barbed cartouche enclosing exquisitely painted meandering lotus scrolls
- Spotted At
- Auction House · Sotheby's
🔨 Auction Lot
Treasured by the Yongle Emperor: The T.Y. Chao Blue and White Ewer
April 8, 2023
Lot 101
Start the Discussion
Request access to join the discussion