A large blue and white 'Dragon' jar. Jiajing mark and period

A large blue and white 'Dragon' jar. Jiajing mark and period. photo Sotheby's

the broad swelling shoulders tapering to a flat and slightly recessed foot, surmounted by a short, wide neck with a lipped rim, boldly painted in a rich cobalt blue with four supple leaping dragons separated by winged phoenix and cranes in flight among cloud scrolls, above a border of ruyi lappets enclosed within double and triple line borders; height 16 1/4 in., 41.3 cm. Estimate 30,000—50,000 USD. Lot Sold 362,500 USD

PROVENANCE: Sotheby's New York, 3rd June 1987, lot 242.

Sotheby's. Informing the Eye of the Collector: Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art from J.T. Tai & Co. 22 Mar 11. New York www.sothebys.com