Chinese Wanli porcelain lidded box in lozenges shape, conjoined double rectangles. hand painted ornamentations are rendered in clean white underglaze base color which contrast against the cobalt blue fine color. The lower and upper exterior side decorated with Auspicious geometric pattern. The top with five-claws imperial dragons amidst sparse Li-Shui wave and scrolling ruyi, beside the soaring phoenix with lengthy wing plumage face each other amidst cumulus flame cloud form. Waves are known to serve as the dragons abode, with the dragon representing the Emperor and imperial household. Dragon Long is the symbol of the Emperor, the Son of Heaven, eternity, Yang and Yin, male vigor and fertility and The Phoenix (Feng-Huang) represents exquisiteness, goodness, warmth, prosperity, peace, the Sun, abundant harvests, and reason in government. Since the dragon and the phoenix usually serve as auspicious symbols, any reported sightings of a dragon or phoenix were considered extremely auspicious, heralding a glorious period of peace and prosperity for the people and the country. This is reflected in the Chinese saying: "When the dragon soars and the phoenix dances, the people will enjoy happiness for years, bringing peace and tranquility to all under heaven." From references to the dragon and phoenixes in local festivals and rites to the heights of literature and fine art, they all reveal the glory of these legendary animals. Inner flange circumscribed around the lip of the container allows for perfectly cover fitting perfectly of the covering along the scalloped edges on the box. The underside foot rim and both mouth rims left unglazed, with pale-creme base spotted firing marks. The clay is fine and exquisite, the glaze smooth, brilliant with a moist appearance, the finishing meticulous.The under-base bears a reign mark, a vertical six underglaze blue script characters reign mark, enclosed within a rectangular frame border; Made in The Years of Wanli Reign Period of Great Ming Dynasty.Measurements: 2-1/2" H x 6" W