A BLUE AND WHITE ‘DRAGON’ SCENT BOX AND COVER China, Qing Dynasty (1644-1912). The rectangular porcelain box decorated in underglaze blue with a reticulated lid depicting two coiled dragons playing with the magic pearl, decorated with flowers and ornamental designs. The lid with irregular piercings that allow the emittance of scent. The sides also decorated with dragons and magic pearls, below a stylized lingzhi band. On the underside an apocryphal six-character Wanli reign mark.

Provenance: A notable private collector in Kensington, London, United Kingdom.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, firing flaws, and few tiny chips.

Weight: 4420 g
Dimensions: Height 11 cm, Length 28.5 cm, Width 18.3 cm

Auction result comparison: Compare a related but smaller (23.9 cm long) blue and white rectangular box and cover with Wanli mark and of the period, depicting two dragons playing with a magic pearl, at Christie’s Hong Kong in Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art on 1 December 2010, lot 3115, sold for HKD 980,000. 5% or 13% VAT will be added to the hammer price additional to the buyer’s premium – only for buyers within the EU.