China, second half of the 16th century. Of archaistic pear-shaped form, rising from a spreading foot to a waisted neck and flared rim, finely decorated to the body with pairs of confronting five-clawed dragons pursuing flaming pearls amid swirling clouds, the shoulder with a band of ruyi-heads and leafy floral scroll repeated below the rim, the neck with four galloping horses, the foot with lotus blossoms borne on leafy scrolling vines, all against turquoise ground.

Provenance: From a French private collection.
Condition: Good condition with minor wear and manufacturing irregularities including expected pitting. Small dents, minor losses. Old fills, repairs, and touchups.

Weight: 3 kg
Dimensions: Height 37.7 cm

Literature comparison:
Compare a related cloisonne hui-form vase, 38.7 cm high, dated to the second half of the 16th century, illustrated by H. Brinker and A. Lutz, Chinesisches Cloisonne: Die Sammlung Pierre Uldry, Museum Rietberg Zuerich, 1985, no. 115.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Bonhams London, 11 May 2021, lot 237
Price: GBP 21,500 or approx. EUR 31,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A cloisonne enamel vase, Hu, Late Ming dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the closely related form and size (38.1 cm). Note the slightly brighter turquoise ground and cracked-ice pattern as well as the handles and decorations.