A FINE MING-STYLE UNDERGLAZE BLUE OCTAGONAL 'DRAGON' BASEXUANDE MARKW:24.2cm H:9.2cm Painted to the exterior in underglaze blue with an undulating stem of various Ruyi, between a band of key-fret at the rim and double-line borders. The top superbly painted in rich cobalt blue with a medallion enclosing a dragon, plunging and writhing amidst waves scrolls, framed within octagonal borders repeated around the rim, the base with the six-character mark within a double-circle.Xuande's reign is among the famous peaceful times in China's history and also witnessed the peak time of the development of the royal kilns in the Ming Dynasty. According to the archaeological discoveries, large quantities of kiln furnaces were built at this time, which resulted in the sharp increase of the porcelain output. According to the Collected Statutes of the Ming Dynasty, only in the eighth year under Xuande's reign, the royal kilns were ordered to produce 443,500 pieces of porcelains. Xuande's imperial porcelains were famous for their simple design, jade-like glaze and colourful decorations, but Emperor Xuande seemed to like the blue-and-white style better, therefore, the blue-and-white porcelain made in this period had the largest output and best quality. Besides, many new forms and decorations were created and the inscription system for the porcelains gradually became matured and was inherited by later generations.for example this Blue-and-white octagonal candle holder with the design of flowers, Xuande period (1426-1435). Height 27cm. Unearthed from Zhushan in 1988. Collected by Jingdezhen Ceramics Archaeology Research Institute.