Lot 021 A RARE RED AND GREEN ENAMEL ‘DRAGON’ JAR MING DYNASTY, MARK OF CHENGHUA

Description

“A RARE RED AND GREEN ENAMEL ‘DRAGON’ JAR
MING DYNASTY, MARK OF CHENGHUA
明代 红绿彩云龙纹罐
《大明成化年制》款
MEASUREMENTS
H. 17.3 cm, 6.82 in.
D. 20.7 cm, 8.17 in.
ESTIMATE
USD 2,000 — 3,000
(HKD 15,600 — 23,400)
DESCRIPTION
The jar is expertly potted with a full, rounded body, a slightly flared mouth rim, and a short neck, tapering gracefully towards the base. It is vibrantly decorated in the classic red and green enamel technique, featuring a dynamic soaring dragon in iron-red across the main body. The dragon is depicted with powerful claws and a spirited expression, surrounded by swirling green cloud patterns. The neck and the area above the foot are further embellished with refined floral motifs. The enamel application is notably thick and lustrous, and the base is inscribed with a six-character regular script (kaishu) mark reading Da Ming Chenghua Nian Zhi.
Notably, the interior of the vessel reveals a professional Kintsugi (gold lacquer) repair. This technique utilizes natural lacquer mixed with powdered gold to accentuate the vessel’s history, turning structural stabilization into an aesthetic feature of quiet, contemplative beauty.
此罐器形端庄饱满，撇口短颈，丰肩圆腹。全器以经典红绿彩工艺装饰。主体绘矾红腾龙，龙身矫健，须发飞扬。周身环绕翠色流云纹，对比鲜明，视觉效果热烈。底足书**“大明成化年制”六字双行楷书款。尤为独特的是，器物内壁见清晰的金缮修复**痕迹，金线流转，赋予了这件古物独特的历史沧桑感与艺术美感。
CATALOGUE NOTE
The present jar is a vibrant testament to the overglaze traditions of the Ming dynasty. The masterful use of iron-red and copper-green pigments creates a rhythmic vitality that has long been admired by collectors. The Chenghua mark underscores the enduring prestige associated with the peak of Ming ceramic craftsmanship.
What distinguishes this specific example is the soulful Kintsugi repair visible on the interior. In the realm of high-end collecting, Kintsugi is revered as a philosophy of “”perfect imperfection.”” Rather than concealing the passage of time, the gold-infused lacquer celebrates it. The dark, organic line of the repair across the white-glazed interior evokes the aesthetic of traditional Chinese ink-wash landscapes or the “”cracked ice”” patterns found in early celadons. This fusion of Ming imperial motifs with a poetic restoration technique makes the piece a compelling object for connoisseurs who appreciate both ceramic history and the art of preservation.
本品之卓越，在于其对色调张力的精准掌控。罐身上所绘龙纹苍劲，寓意皇权至上与万象更新。底部书有“成化”款识，反映了后世对成化彩瓷高度艺术成就的景仰。
更具人文意趣之处在于器内壁的金缮处理。这种始于古法、兴于文人的修复艺术，将器物的破损视为其生命历程的一部分。图中可见金缮线条如水墨皴法般横贯内壁，金粉的闪烁与内壁的莹润白色形成强烈对比。这种“化残缺为大美”的哲学，使得本品在作为瓷器收藏的同时，也成为了一件展现“物哀”与“惜物”思想的艺术装置。
CONDITION REPORT
• Condition: The jar is in stabilized condition. The interior features professional gold lacquer (Kintsugi) repair extending across the base and lower walls, as shown in detail photographs. The exterior enamels remain exceptionally vibrant. Minor surface scratches and firing pinpricks consistent with age.
• 状况： 整体品相稳固。器内壁经专业金缮工艺修复（见细节图），修复线条流畅且结构稳健。外壁红绿彩发色纯正，保存情况良好。釉面可见少量细微划痕及自然窑针，符合其年代特征。”