PREMIUM LOT The beast finely and elaborately carved in the round as a scaly dragon writhing sinuously amidst swollen waves and flames, with its ferocious expression depicted with bearded chin and a pair of horns with its bulging eyes, and a long nose, rendered in the act of following the magic pearl, between swirls cresting waves, the long body on the underside reveals holding in one of its three-clawed paws the magic pearl between a tumultuous cresting waves, and finishing with a long scaly tail, the round body reveal the coral of a beautiful red-orange tone, under the corresponding dragon head, two Chinese characters: brightness (guan) and benefit (li). The dragon poses on a good carved wood base, following the motif of swollen cresting huge waves. In very good condition for a coral piece of this large size, a small piece missing on the top of a dragon-horn approx. 0,4 cm. and a small hairline on the head, the dragon has been broken in half and re stuck in the far past time, but not from a professional restorer, where it is the join we can see still remaining traces of glue, another two or three very small chip, including one on a wave, tiny nicks and very minor surface wear. 73,2 cm wide, 3.244,20 gr Provenance: from the private collection of a Florentine gentleman and thence descendants Note: Coral carvings of figures and animals, designed as decorative additions to a scholar's table are relatively common, but it is extremely rare to find a piece of this outstanding size and quality. The subject matter of the powerful dragon strongly points to it being the product of the Imperial Workshops. For a larger example sold at auction, see the coral dragon sold at Christie's London, 19th October 1959, lot 89 and again in Christies London 8 November 2011 Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art lot 80. Further examples of coral animal carvings include one of a Buddhist lion, sold in Sotheby's New York, 19th/20th October 1988, lot 345; and a figure of a recumbent ox from the Robert H. Blumenfield collection, sold at Christie's New York, 22nd March 2012, lot 1217. * Il lotto é stato identificato come contenente materiali organici che possono essere sottoposti a restrizioni per l'importazione o l'esportazione. Chi fosse interessato é pregato di mettersi in contatto con i nostri uffici prima dell'asta. This lot has been identified at the time of cataloguing as containing organic material which may be subject to restrictions regarding import or export. For further information contact the Management of WANNENES ART AUCTIONS before the sale. § Il lotto é soggetto a questo importante avviso riguardo l'importazione negli Stati Uniti. La Wannenes Art Auctions non puó garantire la consegna degli orologi Corum, Rolex Piaget o Franck Muller negli Stati Uniti perché le leggi americane impongono importanti restrizioni all'importazione di orologi di marca Corum, Rolex, Piaget o Franck Mulle. Gli acquirenti o un loro agente designato possono ritirare i lotti acquistati nel paese di vendita. This lot is subject to this important notice regarding importation into the United States of Corum, Rolex, Piaget or Franck Muller watches. Wannenes Art Auctions cannot arrange for the delivery of Corum, Rolex, Piaget or Franck Muller watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Corum, Rolex, Piaget or Franck Muller watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale. To bid the premium lot, a guarantee deposit of euro 10.000 will be requested ( to send at least 5 working days before the Auction)