A Chinese Cloisonné Octagonal Box, Ming Dynasty 3-1/2 x 6 x 6 inches (8.9 x 15.2 x 15.2 cm) The turquoise ground cloisonné enamel box, of octagonal form, the top and bottom panel decorated with two vigorous four-clawed dragons in brilliant yellow chasing a ‘flaming pearl', centering a Shou, ‘longevity' motif, surrounded by sloping sides with scrolling lotus design; the vertical sides with four dragon panels alternating with lotus panels, two writhing dragons in front-facing position, and the other two in forward, side-facing position, all amidst auspicious ruyi-clouds, enameled in shades of iron-red, aubergine, lapis-blue, white, sea-green and vivid yellow. The cloisonné enamel technique was most likely introduced to China by way of the Byzantine Empire during the Yuan Dynasty (1279–1368). Chinese artisans further enhanced this technique, and cloisonné objects, with their distinctive kaleidoscopic splendor, began to adorn the structures of temples and palaces. By the reign Emperor Xuande (1426-1436), these wares came to be greatly prized at court and amongst the households of the government elite; the earliest cloisonné objects with imperial seals date to this period. Cloisonné objects are also called "Jingtai Lan." "Jingtai" refers to the reign of Ming Dynasty Jingtai Emperor (1450-1457), Xuande's son, whose reign is most strongly associated with imperial production of cloisonné. Most collectors consider this period as the pinnacle of Chinese cloisonné production in terms of innovation in form and enhancements in color palette. The current example features bright turquoise ground decorated with a brilliant palette of iron-red, dark green, yellow, and lapis blue. Rare in form, it compares to a Ming Dynasty octagonal cloisonné box in the collection of Musée des Arts Décoratifs at the Louvre Museum in Paris. HID03101062020 © 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved