A PIERCED BLUE AND WHITE 'DRAGON' SWEETMEAT BOX AND COVER WANLI MARK AND PERIOD

of compressed globular form, resting on a straight foot surmounted by a domed cover, the sides of the box and cover each painted with leaping dragons in profile amidst flowerheads on leafy scrolls, the cover centered with a pierced 'coin' painted with flowers and conch shells, encircled by a 'wave' band, the interior of the box divided into a central floriform walled compartment radiating six segments, the footring with bands of scrolls, the recessed base glazed white and with a six-character mark in underglaze blue (2)
Diameter 8 5/8 in., 21.6 cm

Provenance:
Sotheby's London, 9th December 1986, lot 190.
C. C. Lai Antiques, Toronto, 1960s-1980s, and thence by descent.