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Box in the Form of a Precious Metal Ingot

Asian Art

On View: Asian Galleries, West, 2nd floor (China)
MEDIUM Porcelain with cobalt blue underglaze decoration
  • Place Made: Jiangxi, China
  • DATES 1573-1619
    DYNASTY Ming Dynasty
    PERIOD Wanli Period
    DIMENSIONS 3 9/16 × 5 1/4 × 8 5/8 in. (9 × 13.3 × 21.9 cm) a-base: 2 1/2 × 5 1/4 in. (6.3 × 13.3 cm)  (show scale)
    MARKINGS 6-character reign mark on base: "Made during the Wanli reign of the Great Ming"
    COLLECTIONS Asian Art
    ACCESSION NUMBER 52.49.17a-b
    CREDIT LINE The William E. Hutchins Collection, Bequest of Augustus S. Hutchins
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Seed mouth; shallow body that slightly tapers; circular foot; attached cover. In shape of ingot. Cobalt-blue decoration: 4 walking dragons on box and cover. Double dragons grasping the flaming pearl on cover. 5-clawed dragon was the emperor's symbol and was used in the palace. 6-character reign mark on base: "Made during the Wanli reign of the Great Ming". The seed mouths and base of foot are unglazed. Vessel's and cover's interior and exterior are covered with a clear glaze. Because of the low amount of iron in glaze and reducing atmosphere, glaze has a blue-green color. Daily used ware. Condition: Basically intact. Chips on seed mouth.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Asian Galleries, West, 2nd floor (China)
    CAPTION Box in the Form of a Precious Metal Ingot, 1573-1619. Porcelain with cobalt blue underglaze decoration, 3 9/16 × 5 1/4 × 8 5/8 in. (9 × 13.3 × 21.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, The William E. Hutchins Collection, Bequest of Augustus S. Hutchins, 52.49.17a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 52.49.17a-b_side_bw.jpg)
    IMAGE group, 52.49.17a-b_side_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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     <em>Box in the Form of a Precious Metal Ingot</em>, 1573-1619. Porcelain with cobalt blue underglaze decoration, 3 9/16 × 5 1/4 × 8 5/8 in. (9 × 13.3 × 21.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, The William E. Hutchins Collection, Bequest of Augustus S. Hutchins, 52.49.17a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 52.49.17a-b_side_bw.jpg)