A Rare Blue And White Octagonal Box And Cover, Ming Dynasty Wanli Six-Character Mark And Period

This octagonal blue-and-white covered box is densely decorated on each facet with dragons twisting their elongated bodies as they move through clouds, filling the entire surface with a tightly composed design. The under-base Da Ming Wanli nian zhi mark is written with fluid, unforced brushwork and displays a well-balanced, natural hand. Wanli-period blue-and-white wares display a wide range of cobalt tones, and the closest comparable example can be found in the collection of the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, as cited in the reference.

Period: Ming Dynasty Wanli Period (1572~1620)
Medium: Blue and White Porcelain
Type: Octagonal Box
Condition : Excellent
Size : 26cm(Diameter) , 15.5cm(Height)
Provenance : Acquired in late 1990s from Hongkong
Reference : 
1) Asian Art Museum San Francisco - Object number B69P46L.a-.b - Ingot Shaped Box
(Type : Closely related)
https://searchcollection.asianart.org/objects/3194/ingotshaped-box

2) An example in the Tokyo National Museum is featured in Illustrated Catalogue of Tokyo National Museum: Chinese Ceramics II, Tokyo, 1990, cat. no. 98. Another example, along with its cover, is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and appears in S. Valenstein's A Handbook of Chinese Ceramics, New York, 1989, pl. 167.

* Distinctive Characteristics of Wanli Blue-and-White Porcelain
Wanli blue-and-white porcelain is distinguished by its bold yet intricate designs, often featuring dragons with five claws (symbolizing imperial authority) entwined with clouds and flames. The compositions are densely packed, filling almost the entire surface, a stylistic departure from the more restrained designs of earlier Ming periods. The cobalt blue used during this era was deeper and more vibrant, achieved through advanced firing techniques, creating striking visual contrasts.

* Unique Artistic Techniques and Forms
A hallmark of Wanli blue-and-white porcelain is its use of segmented decoration, with patterns divided into panels or bands around the vessel. This structured approach allowed for a mix of themes, such as floral motifs alongside mythical creatures, showcasing a rich variety within a single piece. The porcelain's shapes often included practical yet decorative forms, such as lidded jars and dishes, many created for ceremonial use, reflecting both artistry and function.