A RARE POLYCHROME-ENAMELED 'DRAGON' JAR AND COVER MING DYNASTY, 16TH CENTURY

of wide baluster form swelling generously from a slightly tapered flat base to a gently waisted short neck, the rounded sides brightly painted in red, green and yellow enamels with a wide band depicting two pairs of confronting dragons contesting a'flaming pearl' amid flame wisps and fiery cloud scroll enclosed within line borders, below a band of four striding dragons each in pursuit of a 'flaming pearl' and a row of stylized lotus scrolls encircling the neck, repeated above the foot, the domed cover with further floral meander and a row of ruyi-heads surmounted by a bud-form knop (2)
Height 15 1/2 in., 39.5 cm

Provenance:
French Private Collection, since the 19th century