A large Chinese cloisonné enamel 'dragon' jar and cover

Reference: ART1004921

The large vessel is decorated to the exterior with two dragons chasing the flaming pearl amongst flame and cloud scrolls above a stiff leaf band at the foot. The rim is marked with an apocryphal Xuande mark and a four character inscription reading 'yuzhi jianzao'. The cover is similarly decorated with a coiled dragon and is surmounted by a lotus finial.

Catalogue note: Compare the present lot with the Ming-dynasty prototype held at the British Museum, London, accession no. 957,0501.1.