Locket med dekor i underglasyrblått med femkloade drakar jagandes den flammande pärlan. Underdelen med dekor i underglaysrlbått av bambu, tall och körsbär. Diameter 25,5 cm.
Nedre delen med spricka vid inre kanten. Slitage. Nederdel skiljer sig i dekoren. Lock med kantspricka.
From the collection of Ivar Heineman (f. 1877-1962). Ivar Heinman was a Medicine Doctor with a degree from Karolinska, he was a pediatrician and had his own practise next to his recidence at Kungsgatan, Stockholm. He was a passionated art and antique collector at his free time an an active customer of Bukowskis in the early 1900's. Thence by descent.
Jessica Harrison-Hall, Ming Ceramics in the British Museum, London, 2001, pl. 11:129. Compare a related box and cover with a design of a dragon, but holding a medallion above its head.
Sothebys: see one with two dragons flanking a central peach tree, sold in New York, 19th November 1982, lot 246.
A box from the Qing Court collection and still in Beijing, is illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum.
Boxes of all shapes and sizes were made during the Wanli period, some in specifically conceived shapes such as the long rectangular examples used to hold fans, and others such as the present example which may have been used as a container for a gift of sweetmeats.