A Chinese famille jaune porcelain covered jar of stout ovoid form, decorated in vibrant overglaze enamels with two five-clawed dragons—one in purple, the other in brown and green—chasing a flaming pearl amidst stylized clouds and flames against a bright yellow ground. The shoulders are set with two applied iron-red animal mask handles, and the domed cover is surmounted by a molded Buddhist lion (foo dog) finial in iron-red glaze.

The decorative scheme is completed by a ruyi-head border at the collar and a stylized geometric lappet band around the foot. The interior and base are finished in a plain white glaze, with the wide footrim left unglazed.

Historical & Style Details

• Subject / Sitter / Source: Dragons chasing the flaming pearl
• Period: 1970s to 1980s
• Origin: China
• Material / Technique: Overglaze enamels on porcelain (Famille Jaune)
• Materials: Porcelain, enamels
• Decorative Details: Two applied iron-red animal mask handles, molded Buddhist lion finial, ruyi-head and lappet borders
• Colour & Surface: Yellow ground with purple, green, brown, blue, and iron-red enamels
• Condition: Minor wear to the enamels, firing imperfections typical of manufacture, otherwise in good stable condition

History

Yellow-ground porcelain, historically reserved for the Chinese imperial court, experienced a significant revival during the late Qing dynasty and the subsequent Republic period. Jars of this form, decorated with auspicious dragons chasing the flaming pearl, were highly popular both for domestic use and the Western export market, showcasing traditional imperial motifs adapted for twentieth-century collectors.