A MING DYNASTY STYLE MONOCHROME TURQUOISE GLAZED INCISED MYTHICAL BEAST LIDDED JAR, MARKED, ZHENGDE REIGN (1506-1521), the dished tapered conical smooth finial over a sloping circular lid incised with two flaming pearls guarded by majestic scaled, antlered, and hoofed beasts centered and enclosed by atmospheric receding clouds, a lovely darkened pooling of the glaze enclosing the scene on the top rests over a squat bulbous body profusely carved with swirling celestial clouds partially concealing figures of jumping winged carp, grappling four clawed dragons, scaled writhing leviathan with wings, some with horns or flaming hair, while the pearls appear ethereally throughout the awesome scene, ending with a harmonious set of four rising ridged mountains to balance the scene of the heavenly dragon's pursuit of the jewel of wisdom, verso the foot marked with six underglaze blue characters dual encircled. Height: 4 1/4" Diameter: 5" Note: 大明正德年製