26th Mar, 2025 10:00
The March Auctions 2025
575
A rare and large Chinese blue and white jardinière
A rare and large Chinese blue and white jardinière, Wanli mark and period, robustly potted, the steep rounded sides rising to a thick lipped rim, painted with two lively five clawed dragons writhing amongst a ground of scrolling lingzhi, between a band of ruyi at the rim and a double line border above the foot, the six character mark inscribed within a rectangular horizontal panel below the rim, 43cm high, 51.5cm diameter
Provenance:Private Collection, Oxfordshire
Footnote:This jardiniere is part of a rare wucai group that were made in the Wanli period which were usually fired twice. The second, lower temperature enamel firing would have been for the overglaze yellow, that would have been painted to the lingzhi fungus and green to the 'ruyi' at the rim
A very similar, but slightly smaller wucai example can be seen in the Percival David Collection in the British Museum, where the yellow lingzhi fungus stands out in strong contrast to the dark cobalt blue of the dragons, there is another wucai example in the British Museum of a similar size, but not as competently painted
At auction, a very similar wucai example was sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong on 23 October 2005 and another damaged and repaired example was sold at Christie’s Hong Kong in September 2011
A variant of this jar with a lotus pond and dragons with a long mane to their necks was sold at Sotheby’s New York on 22 September 2021. In these examples the mark is painted to the undecorated rim without a rectangular border. Another similar example to this can be seen in the Burrell Collection, Glasgow
Blue and white jardinieres do exist in this shape in the Wanli period, but the author found no direct related examples to this piece, which leads one to conclude that this is an incomplete wucai piece. One can see prototypes to this jardiniere in the Jiajing period painted with a dragon amongst flame and cloud scrolls
Blue and white jardinieres with dragons do exist in the Wanli period but they are rare - see an example amongst lotus scroll at Christie’s Hong Kong, 01 November 2004, lot 863. Blue and white examples painted with fish and Buddhist lions can also be found such as one sold at Bonhams, London on 07 November 2024 and one sold at Christie’s New York on 27 November 1991, where the mark is painted to the undecorated rim
Chorley's Bi-annual auction of Asian & Islamic Art
£6,000 - £8,000
Buyer's premium: 30.00%
A rare and large Chinese blue and white jardinière, Wanli mark and period, robustly potted, the steep rounded sides rising to a thick lipped rim, painted with two lively five clawed dragons writhing amongst a ground of scrolling lingzhi, between a band of ruyi at the rim and a double line border above the foot, the six character mark inscribed within a rectangular horizontal panel below the rim, 43cm high, 51.5cm diameter
Private Collection, Oxfordshire
This jardiniere is part of a rare wucai group that were made in the Wanli period which were usually fired twice. The second, lower temperature enamel firing would have been for the overglaze yellow, that would have been painted to the lingzhi fungus and green to the 'ruyi' at the rim
A very similar, but slightly smaller wucai example can be seen in the Percival David Collection in the British Museum, where the yellow lingzhi fungus stands out in strong contrast to the dark cobalt blue of the dragons, there is another wucai example in the British Museum of a similar size, but not as competently painted
At auction, a very similar wucai example was sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong on 23 October 2005 and another damaged and repaired example was sold at Christie’s Hong Kong in September 2011
A variant of this jar with a lotus pond and dragons with a long mane to their necks was sold at Sotheby’s New York on 22 September 2021. In these examples the mark is painted to the undecorated rim without a rectangular border. Another similar example to this can be seen in the Burrell Collection, Glasgow
Blue and white jardinieres do exist in this shape in the Wanli period, but the author found no direct related examples to this piece, which leads one to conclude that this is an incomplete wucai piece. One can see prototypes to this jardiniere in the Jiajing period painted with a dragon amongst flame and cloud scrolls
Blue and white jardinieres with dragons do exist in the Wanli period but they are rare - see an example amongst lotus scroll at Christie’s Hong Kong, 01 November 2004, lot 863. Blue and white examples painted with fish and Buddhist lions can also be found such as one sold at Bonhams, London on 07 November 2024 and one sold at Christie’s New York on 27 November 1991, where the mark is painted to the undecorated rim
Asian & Islamic Art
Chorley's Bi-annual auction of Asian & Islamic Art
Two hairline cracks from the top rim - one 17cm long, the other, more apparent, 27cm long. Another two hairline cracks in the base. Glaze and enamels good, with only little sign of wear. Extra images online.
All Lots are offered for sale in the condition they are in at the time of the sale. You acknowledge that many Lots are of an age and type such that they are not in perfect condition. Catalogue descriptions and condition reports may refer to imperfections of a Lot, but Lots may have other faults not expressly referred to in the Catalogue or condition report. Illustrations are for identification purposes only and may not convey full information as to the actual condition of a Lot. You accept responsibility for carrying out your own inspections and investigations of Lots in which you may be interested. You should inspect a Lot before bidding to determine and to satisfy yourself as to its condition, size, description and whether it has been repaired or restored, as applicable, and we accept bids on Lots solely on this basis. Condition reports may be available to assist when inspecting Lots. Lots will be available for viewing in person at our premises or another location and viewing information will be available on our website.
IN PERSON BIDS
To be able to bid at a Chorley’s auction, you must register and obtain a paddle number from our office. If you have not bid with us before, you will be asked to provide proof of identity and residence, such as driver's licence photocard, or passport and current proof of address.
COMMISSION BIDS
If you cannot attend the auction in person to bid, you can submit a commission bid with our office no less than one hour before the start of an auction. Commission bids are the maximum amount up to which the auctioneer may bid on your behalf (exclusive of Buyer’s Premium and VAT, which will be added to your invoice if successful). They will be executed at the lowest possible price having regard to any reserve and competing bids. If two buyers submit identical commission bids, the auctioneers will give preference to the first bid received. The auctioneer will execute commission bids directly from the rostrum, clearly identifying the successful bid as commission bid.
Commission bids may be left in person, by telephone or by email. All bids submitted are regarded as acknowledgement that the bidder has read and accepts Chorley's Conditions of Business and will submit any specific personal details requested to verify their intention and ability to comply with those conditions (see also Registration).
Execution of commission bids is a free service undertaken subject to other commitments at the time of the sale and we do not accept liability in an individual instance for failing to execute a written bid or for errors and omissions in connection with it, arising from circumstances beyond our reasonable control.
TELEPHONE BIDS
At Chorley's discretion, usually for lots estimated to realise £500 or more, we offer prospective buyers the facility to bid over the telephone, subject to availability of lines/staff. Telephone bids must be booked no later than 4pm on the day prior to the auction. Bidders will be required to provide two telephone numbers, in case one line is busy or unobtainable at the time of the auction. They will also be asked to supply a covering bid for each lot for which they propose to bid; this will only be executed in the event that our staff are unable to reach the bidder on the telephone number provided at the time the lot is offered for sale.
This is a free service undertaken subject to other commitments at the time of the sale and we cannot accept liability in an individual instance for failing to execute a telephone bid or for errors and omissions in connection with it, arising from circumstances beyond our reasonable control. Telephone bids may be recorded for security purposes and, by bidding on the telephone, prospective buyers consent to the recording of their conversation.
ONLINE BIDS
Chorley's sales offer prospective buyers the facility to bid live online through our website and The-Saleroom.com.
The Saleroom - Additional live bidding platform fee 5% (6% incl. VAT).
Chorley's Live - Live Bidding if offered at no extra charge
Bidders will be approved and activated for live online bidding at our discretion. By registering to bid in our auction through these online platforms, you confirm that you are resident at the address supplied and that you are the authorised user of the card used for registration. This service is offered subject to Chorley's Terms and Conditions and those of The Saleroom, as stated on their website. Chorley's cannot be held responsible for any failure or delay in online bidding technology which results in bids failing to reach the auctioneer or reaching the auctioneer after the hammer has fallen, neither are we responsible for incorrect information provided by the bidding platforms regarding the success of internet bids. Please do not assume you have been successful until you receive an emailed invoice from Chorley's, as all results have to be verified at the end of the auction.
Auction: The March Auctions 2025, 26th Mar, 2025
Viewing
Sunday 23 March | 10am - 4pm
Monday 24 March | 10am - 4pm
Full Terms & Conditions relating to our auctions can be found here
