A LARGE KOREAN IRON-PAINTED DRAGON JAR

A LARGE KOREAN IRON-PAINTED DRAGON JAR

JOSEON OR LATER, 19TH OR 20TH CENTURY

Of compressed ovoid form, raised on a short foot and with an everted rim, the body decorated with a large scaly dragon writhing amongst clouds and fire wisps, chasing a sacred pearl, a small butterfly fluttering above it, the iron-brown design painted on a creamy-white ground with minute brown specks, a paper label to the side reading 'Joseon Dynasty / Nanryuinsama' (Tokugawa Yorinobu) collection, 25.5cm.

Provenance: an English private collection, purchased in Japan.