Square Picnic Box – Porselein – *RARE* – Wucai – China – Tianqi (1621-1627)

Rare Late Ming Ko-Sometsuke Wucai Square Picnic Box and CoverChina, Tianqi period (1620–1627). A finely crafted square picnic box from the late Ming dynasty, produced specifically for export to Japan during the early 17th century.This very rare porcelain example is decorated in wucai enamels and formed with indented corners, creating a refined and distinctive silhouette. The cover is painted with five crane medallions reserved against a cloud-filled ground, the cranes symbolising longevity and auspicious fortune. Each side is further decorated with two chrysanthemum blooms and scrolling foliage, while the interior of the lid is painted with two orchids, reflecting literati taste and refined aesthetic sensibilities. The flat biscuit base is left unglazed, typical of export wares of this type.Reference:A four tier example is illustrated by Teresa Canepa and Katharine Butler in Leaping the Dragon Gate, inventory no. 1423, p. 130See a four tier example sold at Christies (wrongly descibed as Japanese) and now for sale in the collection of a renowned English dealer: https://prf.hn/click/camref:1101l5d7f/creativeref:1101l154331/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fonlineonly.christies.com%2Fs%2Fsoame-jenyns-collection-japanese-chinese-art%2Fjapanese-arita-four-tiered-box-cover-82%2F61930Dimensions: Square 9,4 x H5,8 cmCondition: In good condition, the base has a Kintsugi restored edge and both have the desired mushikui or ‘moth-eaten’ edges.Please check the images carefully. The written condition report is indicative only; the... lees verder bij Catawiki