Vintage Polychrome Porcelain Lidded Stem Bowl With Gilt Dragon Motif

Details

Description

This striking vintage porcelain vessel features a distinctive stem bowl (or stem cup) form, topped with a domed lid and … Read more This striking vintage porcelain vessel features a distinctive stem bowl (or stem cup) form, topped with a domed lid and a rounded finial. The piece is richly decorated in a vibrant polychrome palette, heavily accented with raised gilding. The main body and the domed lid are both adorned with dynamic, writhing dragons rendered in a deep iron-red with intricate gilded scales. The dragons are set against a pale, creamy white ground and surrounded by stylized, scrolling clouds in vivid blue, green, and turquoise enamels. Two bands of gilded green leaf lappets encircle the junction of the lid and the bowl. The vessel rests on a flared, pedestal-style base decorated with green and red geometric lappets, separated by a wide, polished gold band. The interior of the bowl and the flat base are glazed in a pale, slightly mottled celadon-green. The base rim is unglazed and shows a natural, speckled texture.

Dimensions:

Height: 20 cm (approx. 7.87 inches)

Diameter: 13 cm (approx. 5.12 inches)

Inscription:
A horizontal inscription is painted in gold just below the leaf lappet band on the main body. The characters read "大明宣德年製" (Da Ming Xuande Nian Zhi), which translates to "Made in the Xuande Period of the Great Ming." Note: As is common with vintage decorative pieces, this mark is likely apocryphal and serves as a tribute to the classic imperial style. See less