Dimensions: 6-1/4" H x 5-1/4" Dia. Extraordinary, Chinese Ming Dynasty Interregnum , Chenghua reign Period blue and red dragon jar. Finest porcelain in feminine shape, the shape having thick potted body, sturdily potted in a bulbous body, gently swell on shoulder into a feminine waist that extends all the way to the bottom, prominent straight neck with opening, raised on small round flat base. All reserved hand painted ornamentations are rendered in clean white underglaze base color which contrast against the cobalt blue and ruby-red fine color. The main body adorned with snarling huge imperial five claws dragon careening through cumulus clouds, flames, scrolling ruyi, above thrashing Li-Shui waves in a ruby-red color dragon squama surrounded the bowl to chasing flaming pearl amidst flames. The shoulder decorated with repeating scrolling interlocking auspicious pattern, enclosed and banded with double fine blue rings lines. Dragon is the symbol of the Emperor, the Son of Heaven, eternity, Yang and Yin, male vigor and fecundity, the Li-Shui wave pattern which is known to be the abode of dragons. The dragon is also the most important of the four super natural creatures in Chinese mythology, ranked with the Phoenix, the Qilin, and the Tortoise. The dragon is also the symbol of the month March, of Spring and of rebirth and fertility for it brings the rain bearing clouds of spring. When shown with the heavenly pearl, sometimes ball, it represents thunder and the storm. Emblem of vigilance and safety, and frequently associated with the idea of joy. The Lines of the drawings are clear, the light and dark shades are subtle. The colors are harmonious, elegant and exquisite, the composition is sophisticated, simply a feast for the eye. The glaze is seamless and gives off a beautiful luster, with the colors maintaining excellent vibrancy. The clay is very fine, with a brilliant glaze finish that was applied by a meticulous, the shape is uniformly proportioned. The porcelain conformed all required specimen to be high valued Chinese porcelain wares, with finest material, the whiteness, the glaze, the carving, and the shape. Without overlap the outlines of the design, well carved, clear, subtle, and distinct. Mark on under base, a six underglaze blue script characters reign mark, enclosed with double fine blue rectangle ring lines, Chenghua Reign Period of Great Ming Dynasty.