Leilão Bidspirit | Large dragon fishbowl, blue and

Large dragon fishbowl, blue and white, Ming dynasty, Longqing (1567 - 1572) - 明隆庆 (1567-1572) 青花海水云龙戏珠纹大缸 A large porcelain vat with a circular base, also flat on the inside, which supports the slightly arched walls of the piece. The shape is crowned by a mouth, with a flattened and thickened rim, which emerges outwards. The shape is not perfectly regular, with some oscillation in the profile. This type of fish-bowl, known as a Chinese fish tank (Gāng 缸) or 'fish-bowl', is a special product for holding fish, either to observe them or to contain water.  The decoration is executed in cobalt-blue, underglaze and on a white ground, and mainly depicts dragon patterns. In addition, on the outer rim there is a line of ancient coins and on the upper face a succession of arabesques between a double ring. The use of these colours is influenced by Taoism. The shade of blue used to represent the dragons' hair is notable in this period for its richness and lustre.  The piece has a main decorative band around the outer wall with two pairs of five-clawed imperial dragons of vivid, powerful and fierce form. They are surrounded by auspicious clouds, swaying and coiling, and set above a raging, crashing sea. Each group goes in search of a flaming pearl of wisdom, on a sacred mountain, in opposite postures and their bodies curled up. This scene represents the concept ”四海升平” which could be translated as ”the four seas are at peace” or ”universal peace”. The dragon patterns of the Jiajing and Longqing periods usually have arched heads, windmill-shaped claws, curved wavy tails and raised manes. Their expression is exaggerated because the eyes protrude slightly. Such depictions are seen to a greater size on blue and white porcelain. Dimensions: Max. height: 40 cm; Max. mouth diameter: 74 cm. Texts or inscriptions: It has an official Longqing inscription of six characters horizontally, placed along the inner mouth, executed in underglaze blue, which reads '大明隆庆年造' (Dàmíng lóngqìng nián zào), translated as 'Made in Longqing of the Ming dynasty'. In this period, regular script inscriptions abound, and not so much seal marks. On large objects such as dragon bowls, inscriptions placed near the mouth were the preferred choice. Provenance:  European private collection, Switzerland. Dr. Jacques Louis Crausaz (1933, Lausanne, Switzerland – 2023, Barcelona, Spain) specialist doctor in Human Body Biochemistry, Medicine (Lausanne, Switzerland), Psychiatry (Paris, France), Neurology and Biochemistry at (Harward, USA) and researcher in space medicine, between 1970 - 1992, ”Operative of the Conquest of Space” for NASA (Houston, USA). Due to his research on natural medicine, he traveled to many countries around the world, including China, where he acquired many of the pieces from his collection. Dr. Jacques Louis Crausaz was a specialist in Human Body Biochemistry pioneer in great findings of his profession and extraordinary person. Also, Doctor in Medicine (Lausanne, Switzerland), Psychiatry (Paris, France), Neurology and Biochemistry (Harward, USA) and researcher in space medicine, between 1970 - 1992, ”Space Conquest Operative” for NASA (Houston, USA). The Doctor always maintained that ”all that I have been” was thanks to his study tutor, Mr. John Gaillou, for guiding and advancing his preparation and academic level at the early age of 7, as well as to the important investments of the Swiss authorities in his ”studies, works and materials” guaranteed during his first scientific researches.  ”I was fortunate to be guided masterfully by Mr. John Gaillou”. After years of tough examinations and a firm confidentiality contract, Dr Crausaz was chosen as an ”active member” of the Space Conquest Operation ”Space Warfare”, taking charge and leading the team of researchers in Houston, Houston. Over a long period of 22 years (1970-1992), Dr. Crausaz was challenged to conquer space, setting as a goal to achieve the development of what is now known as ”Space Medicine”. Technicians, specialists, engineers and mechanics of all kinds created transportation devices, which they called ”rockets” or ”spacecraft”, capable of taking man... ”out of the Earth Space”. However, these findings gave rise to a singular question whose answer would take Dr. Crausaz years of research: 'What are the absolutely essential needs of a human being for him to survive outside the Earth's atmosphere on an unknown planet?'  ”I must say that ”luck” helped me, since in 1970 (I was 36 years old) I was in the right place, at the right time, and with the right preparation to be hired in 1974 [...] I developed then... and until today... a job that I could never have even thought of doing, but that I have really lived, thanks to the important ”evolution” that we have all experienced, [....