Dimensions: 11-7/8" H x 6-1/2" Dia. Chinese Ming Dynasty Period, famille jaune monochrome sgraffito dragon pear vase. Finely potted in Chinese traditional YuHuChun shape vessel, 'the pear shaped' bottle vase, a bottom-heavy body tapered gracefully to slender waisted neck flaring at the rim, supported on short spreading foot ring. All reserved hand painted ornamentations are rendered masterfully covered in an even coat of a famille jaune egg-yellow glaze which terminates at the base to reveal the pure white underglaze. The egg-yellow glaze creates a mottled effect around the rim which is likened unto the blushing of human skin. The main body adorned with snarling huge imperial five claws dragon careening through cumulus clouds above thrashing Li-Shui waves in a dark brown color dragon squama rounded the bowl to chasing flaming pearl amidst flames, enclosed with double fine blue rings lines. The neck decorated with flowers blooms interspersed with scrolling ruyi and tendril, enclosed with double fine blue rings lines. And the upper neck festooned with upturning lappets. 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 glaze is seamless and gives off a beautiful luster, with the colors maintaining excellent vibrancy. The foot rim reveals the cut edges during the making process, and the receded central interior base left white underglaze. A characteristic heaped and piled effect, the underglaze deep yellow concentrates in certain areas, bubbling through the surface of the glaze and turning a deep blue-black. 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 craftsman. Mark on under base, a vertical six underglaze blue script characters reign mark, Jiajing Reign Period of Great Ming Dynasty.