Antique Japanese 19th Century Chocolate Pot With Painted Dragon Handle

While engaging in a little off-highway travelling on our way to Santa Fe, New Mexico, we stopped at a dusty looking little ‘Junque’ shop that looked as if it had been closed for years (mind you, the elder of the sisters was inclined to drive on, but the younger must always explore. . .) As it so happened, the shop was open, and among our finds was a dirt-encrusted old teapot that turned out to be this lovely gem!

We have a hand painted Antique Japanese Porcelain 19th Century Chocolate Pot With Dragon Handle that likely dates from the Victorian era (1837 to 1901). This Antique Japanese Porcelain 19th Century Chocolate Pot With Painted Dragon Handle has calligraphy markings on the bottom (see photo), in addition to A974 written in blue pen, and an additional calligraphy mark on the lid. This Antique Japanese Porcelain 19th Century Chocolate Pot With Painted Dragon Handle is highly unusual. The white porcelain background contains elaborately drawn scrolled and geometric gilded designs at both the top and bottom. The body of the pot depicts an elaborate motif of colored birds – neither cranes nor swans - in flight, with chrysanthemums on one side, and camellias on the other in a riot of colors that include light blue, soft yellow, pale aqua, pink and brick red. An elegant, almost severe form provides the backdrop for the lyric talent of a long dead artist. As a parting fillup, the artist left a painted dragon stretching the length of the handle. Measuring 7-1/2" from the base to the top of the finial, this lovely Antique Japanese Porcelain 19th Century Chocolate Pot With Painted Dragon Handle is in nearly perfect shape: there are no chips, cracks or crazing, and only very slight gold loss on the sides of the handle.