https://emuseum.cornell.edu/internal/media/dispatcher/70842/fullRectangular box with design of dragons, wucai ware4 × 8 × 12 inches (10.2 × 20.3 × 30.5 cm)Porcelain: underglaze blue with overglaze enamelsBequest of Louis Livingston Seaman, Class of 187262.26090This wu-ts'ai covered rectangular box sits on a stylized foot which is molded on each corner of the box. The box slopes outwards from the bottom of the piece with slightly rounded sides to a straight-edged lip to form the bottom half. The complementary straight-edged lip is repeated and curves inwards to complement the lower half. The top is flat and has pierced designs. The central medallion shaped like four ju-i designs has painted on it two circling flaming pearl on a varied floral ground. The entire piece is painted in underglaze blue and in red, green and yellow enamels with outlines in black. The double dragon is repeated on each side and also on the sloping edges on the top of the box. This design is usually referred to as Shuang-lung hsi-chu (the two frolicking dragons disputing a flaming pearl). In each corner of the top is depicted flowers and fruits. This floral pattern is repeated throughout the piece as ground for the dragons. The sides of the straight-edge of the lip are painted with stylized ling-chih (fungus) design. the dragon design is most typical of the Wan-li period with a rising mane and rounded eyes with pupils. Added to the lions are horns and whiskers;later depictions, especially during the transition period and that of the Ch'ing, were plumper and more stylized dragons that had lost their ferocity. notes by William C. HuCeramics1900043867Unidentified artistChina62.2609_Disc0432_04325011