Dimensions: 1-7/8" H x 7-7/8" W Chinese Ming Dynasty Wanli porcelain brush washer. Thick porcelain potted, wide cavetto, of a deep vessel, round straight upward to flaring flori petals opening rim, with flori petals flat foot base rim. All reserved hand painted ornamentations are rendered in clean white underglaze base color which contrast against the cobalt blue fine color. The Inner base adorned with flying phoenix beside five claws flying dragon amidst vapor, flaming ruyi, cumulus clouds, enclosed with double fine blue rings lines. The upper inner rim decorated with flori petals describe flowers blooms interspersed with scrolling tendril and foliage, enclosed with double fine blue rings lines. The exterior decorated with snarling huge imperial five claws dragon careening through cumulus clouds , vapor, above thrashing Li-Shui waves in a cobalt blue color dragon squama rounded the bowl to chasing flaming pearl amidst flames. Since the dragon and the phoenix usually serve as auspicious symbols, any reported sightings of a dragon or phoenix were considered extremely auspicious, heralding a glorious period of peace and prosperity for the people and the country. This is reflected in the Chinese saying: "When the dragon soars and the phoenix dances, the people will enjoy happiness for years, bringing peace and tranquility to all under heaven." From references to the dragon and phoenixes in local festivals and rites to the heights of literature and fine art, they all reveal the glory of these legendary animals. This inadvertently gave texture, energy, and shading to the design. The clay is very fine, with a brilliant glaze finish that was applied by a meticulous, the shape is uniformly proportioned. The underside unglazed, revealed the pale-creme ground and dark grayish brown spotted firing marks and edge-cut foot rim. Mark on under base, a six underglaze blue script characters reign mark, enclosed within double fine rings, Wanli Reign Period of Great Ming Dynasty. See More