Auction Information

Description

This pot is unparalleled in the world and is specially made by the imperial kiln for the exclusive use of the palace. It is worthy of the reputation of being paired with the Yongle blue and white heavy vessels. At first glance, holding a teapot may only recognize it as a classic porcelain artifact from the early Ming Dynasty, but it is difficult to understand its rarity. The pot body is exquisitely painted with a five clawed cloud dragon, with round dragon eyes and short hair raised, as if it had just descended from a high altitude, and was about to spread its legs and claws, ready to soar in the clouds. With a graceful and agile posture, the body is set in a peach shaped opening light, yet it feels free and proud to soar. Such dragon patterns were extremely rare before the Xuande Dynasty, but they were quite common in the imperial porcelain of the Ming Dynasty. Therefore, the extraordinary importance of this pot in the history of Chinese ceramic art was not fully recognized in the past. The teapot flow is delicate and graceful, complementing the curved handle, with an overall proportion that is just right and pleasing to the eye. This type of porcelain pot is rare like a morning star, but it can be seen on gold and silver artifacts used by imperial officials of the same generation. For example, the gold pot unearthed from the tomb of Prince Zhu Zhangui of Liangzhuang is said to have been made by a palace workshop, dating back to the year Hongxi (1425). Its size is similar to this, and the peach shaped design on both sides of the pot belly is also the same. This style of vessel was continued to be used during the Xuan Dynasty. The Philadelphia Museum of Art in the United States has a gold embryo inlaid treasure holding vessel from the old collection of the Umofuplos. The peach shaped opening of the pot belly also features a five clawed cloud dragon, which must be similar to this blue and white holding vessel. It is a royal artifact without any errors.