明代宣德年間，社會穩定，經濟繁榮，文化藝術蓬勃發展， 朝廷對官窯瓷器的燒造極為重視，投入了大量的人力、物力和財力，使得這一時期的瓷器製作達到了登峰造極的境界。宣德皇帝本人對藝術品有著較高的鑒賞力，在他的推動下，官窯瓷器不僅注重實用性，更追求藝術品質的卓越。當時，鄭和多次下西洋，帶回了產於古波斯地區的“蘇麻離青”鈷料。這種進口鈷料成為了宣德青花瓷獨特藝術風格形成的關鍵因素，為宣德青花雲龍紋十棱葵瓣式洗等眾多瓷器的燒制提供了優質原料基礎，造就了宣德青花在陶瓷史上不可撼動的地位。

此拍品明宣德青花雲龍紋十棱葵瓣式洗造型呈十棱葵瓣式，造型獨特優美，線條流暢自然，既富有變化又不失端莊穩重 。紋飾以青花繪製雲龍紋為主要裝飾。盤心處，一條矯健威猛的巨龍騰雲駕霧，龍身蜿蜒曲折，四肢伸張有力，龍須飄動，雙目圓睜，盡顯皇家威嚴與龍的神聖霸氣。龍身周圍，雲紋環繞，或舒或卷，生動地營造出神龍遨遊天際的宏偉場景。外壁同樣飾有雲龍紋，與盤心紋飾相呼應，青花發色濃豔青翠，深入胎骨，且有自然形成的“鐵銹斑”，這是宣德青花使用進口“蘇麻離青”料的典型特徵，使得紋飾更具層次感和立體感。整體胎體厚重堅致，質地細膩。施釉均勻，釉面肥厚瑩潤，呈現出溫潤的青白色，與濃豔的青花相得益彰。繪畫技法嫺熟，畫師以細膩流暢的筆觸勾勒出雲龍的形態，將龍的神韻表現得淋漓盡致，彰顯了宣德時期高超的制瓷工藝和繪畫水準。底部書有 “大明宣德年制” 六字雙圈款，字體工整有力，是宣德官窯瓷器身份的重要標識。這件青花雲龍紋十棱葵瓣式洗不僅是實用的文房器具，更是承載了明代皇家審美和制瓷工藝成就的藝術珍品，對研究明代陶瓷史、宮廷文化以及社會風貌等方面，都具有極高的歷史、藝術和研究價值。

宣德青花的卓越地位早已得到顶尖学者的认可。伦敦东方陶瓷学会前会长雷吉娜·克拉尔（Regina Krahl）评论道：“宣德青花瓷器达到了罕见的完美境界，钴蓝色泽深邃，纹饰自然生动，为后世御瓷树立了永恒的标杆。”

大英博物馆中国陶瓷馆长杰西卡·哈里森-霍尔也持类似观点：“宣德瓷器的龙纹不仅象征着皇帝的至高无上的权威，更体现了宇宙星辰的灵动，以及明代陶瓷史上无与伦比的创新精神。”

The Xuande reign (1426–1435) of the Ming dynasty marked a golden age of imperial porcelain, when the empire flourished in stability, prosperity, and cultural brilliance.  Under the direct patronage of the Xuande Emperor – famous for his connoisseurship in painting and the arts – official kiln porcelain was not only made for courtly use but also elevated as a supreme symbol of imperial power and aesthetic refinement.  The introduction of imported “Sumali blue” cobalt from Persia endowed Xuande blue-and-white with its profound, radiant, and fluid tone, establishing a unique identity that remains unmatched.

This brush washer is crafted in the form of a twelve-lobed sunflower petal, with sharply defined contours that are both elegant and forceful.  At the center, a five-clawed dragon – the highest imperial emblem – coils dynamically amid swirling clouds, its fierce eyes, gleaming scales, and posture full of vitality as if soaring across the cosmos.  The exterior continues the motif of clouds and dragons, filling the vessel with a majestic aura of imperial authority.  The glaze is pure and lustrous, with a jade-like sheen;  Combined with the thick, supple white body, it reveals the famous “penetrating translucence” unique to Xuande porcelain.  The painting technique blends meticulous precision with spontaneous vitality, hallmarks of the master craftsmen at the imperial kilns.

The base bears an neatly written six-character double-ring mark “Da Ming Xuande Nian Zhi” (Made in the Xuande reign of the Great Ming), affirming its imperial status.  Uniquely, this example measures only 17 cm in diameter, markedly smaller than most surviving counterparts, which are usually 19–20 cm.  Such a compact size is exceedingly rare, suggesting a special commission within the imperial court and underscoring the diversity and refinement of Xuande aesthetic demands.

The exceptional standing of Xuande blue-and-white has long been recognized by leading scholars.  Regina Krahl – former President of the Oriental Ceramic Society, London – remarked:“Xuande blue-and-white porcelain achieves a rare perfection, with cobalt tones of profound depth and designs that are natural yet vivid, setting an enduring benchmark for imperial ceramics of later dynasties.”

In a similar vein, Jessica Harrison-Hall – Curator of Chinese Ceramics at the British Museum – observed:“Xuandeporcelains bearing dragon motifs not only symbolize the supreme authority of the emperor, but also embodied cosmic asteroids and a creative spirit unparalleled in the history of Ming dynasty ceramics"