A Rare Blue and White Dragon Octagonal Ewer, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)

The octagonal ever is finely decorated in varied tones of rich cobalt blue on the body with lozenge-shaped panels with a dragon across them, with a high arc handle and an elegantly curved spout, flanked above and below by classic scroll pattern bands. The waisted neck is encircled by bands of upright bananas leaves and stylised lotus petal lappets containing flames, the lappets repeated on the lower body containing ruyi and pearls, all raised on a shallow, spreading foot decorated with band of classic scroll. The cap is decorated with stylised lotus petal lappets with a knob at the top; 30 cm high.