White glazed "anhua" cup, with Yongle mark

Thin-walled porcelain in the form of a bowl raised on a circular base, covered with a uniform white glaze. It is decorated with the 'anhua' technique, which surrounds the bowl and depicts a dragon and a phoenix on a sea with waves. The end of the foot is unglazed and reveals the fine white porcelain. The base is incised with a Yongle mark "永乐年制" in four characters. 

The decorative technique known as 'anhua' (hidden decoration) consists of incised lines that are fully visible when a light is shone on the piece. This technique was made possible by innovations in the production of white ware from the beginning of the Ming dynasty. 

Height: 4.40 cm; diameter of the mouth: 6.50 cm