Numerous similar octagonal blue and white boxes with Wanli, Jiajing marks are housed in prestigious museum collections. 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.
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 numberB69P46L.a-.b - Ingot Shaped Box
(Type : Closely related)
https://searchcollection.asianart.org/objects/3194/ingotshaped-box
2) Christies Newyork 18–19 SEP 2014 - Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art - Lot 768 - A LARGE BLUE AND WHITE CUSHION-FORM BOX AND A COVER
(Price realised : 81,250 USD / Type : Closely related)
https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-5823680
3) Christies Newyork 21–22 MAR 2024 - Important Chinese Art Including the Collection of Dorothy Tapper Goldman - Lot 951 - A BLUE AND WHITE RECTANGULAR 'DRAGON' BOX AND PIERCED COVER
(Price realised : 52,920 USD / Type : Closely related)
https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6470747
* 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.
