15 | large CloisonnÉ enamel basin Wanli mark and period, 1573 – 1619 Height: 16 cm | 65/16 in Diameter: 31 cm | 123/16 in Click image for full-size version The circular deep bowl, with flaring mouth, is supported on a circular foot rim. It is decorated on the outside with a wide band – forming the main field – in which four quatrefoil panels each enclose a single five-clawed dragon. The mythical beasts are depicted in alternating red and blue enamels, writhing amongst clouds, against a light green ground. Each panel is set against a main turquoise ground – further decorated with lotus flowers and Buddhist symbols. Alternating Wan and Shou symbols (of good luck and longevity) decorate the band around the mouth – against a pink ground with clouds and checked wirework – whilst the foot rim is decorated with a single row of petals and leaves; the basin’s interior is plain copper, with traces of the original gilding. Its base is fully enamelled in turquoise, with cloud-like wirework – the centre boldly marked in red enamel with a six-character Wanli mark, in a large rectangle against a light green ground. No other marked examples, of this form, appear to have been published; however, the same mark does appear on a censer illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Metal-bodied Enamel Wares, The Commercial Press (Hong Kong) Ltd, 2001 – no. 50.