A VERY RARE PAIR OF DOUCAI BLUE-GROUND DRAGON BOWLS

Details

A VERY RARE PAIR OF DOUCAI BLUE-GROUND DRAGON BOWLS
ENCIRCLED KANGXI SIX CHARACTER MARKS AND OF THE PERIOD

The exterior decorated with two dragons, one enamelled in green, the other painted iron-red and each with the fifth claw obscured by black enamel, shown striding above a band of tiered petals in pursuit of 'flaming pearls' set above cruciform clouds, all reserved on a blue wash ground, with a similar medallion of a leaping dragon in the white-glazed interior--5 1/2in. (14cm.)diam., box (2)

Provenance

The Works of Art Collection of the British Rail Pension Fund, sold in Hong Kong, 16 May 1989, lot 79

Exhibited

Fairfax House, York, 1985-1988, on loan

Lot Essay

Compare a very similar bowl in the S.C. Ko Tianminlou Collection, Catalogue no. 91, and another, sold in these Rooms, 26 September 1989, lot 599.

J. Ayers in The Baur Collection, Catalogue, Vol. I, mentions, in discussing A555, that the fifth claw being concealed "was apparently required in circumstances where the piece was considered to be no longer destined for the Emperor's use"

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