A truly remarkable survivor, this extremely fine Chinese export porcelain covered ewer is hand-painted in underglaze blue with hand-cut honey comb panels revealing a double wall construction, also with painted decoration – the same conceit continued onto the domed cover. Decorated on the neck with a peony design, and on the sides with swirling dragons.  The form most likely after Middle Eastern/Persian metal wares but here brought to a whole other level.  Kangxi period, late 17th century. Very good condition. A tour-de-force of the potter’s art. Ex-Chait collection.  Extensively discussed and illustrated in Jorge Welsh’s book Ling Long, pages 54-59.