A Definitive Archaeometric and Iconographic Study on the 14th-Century Yuan Dynasty Blue-and-White Lobed Covered Box with Mandarin Duck Motif (Ref. SG-BW-71): Reconstructing the Imperial Pair with Specimen SG-BW-70

This monograph delivers an exhaustive archaeometric, morphological, and iconographic investigation of an exceptionally rare, intact 14th-century Yuan dynasty blue-and-white 12-lobed covered box (Ref. SG-BW-71; height: 7.3 cm, diameter: 11.1 cm, gross weight: 407 g, cover weight: 156 g, body weight: 251 g) preserved in the Sigong Collection, Seoul. Following the baseline publication of its companion piece—the Fish and Algae Covered Box (Ref. SG-BW-70)—this paper establishes the forensic and physical proof that specimens SG-BW-70 and SG-BW-71 constitute a pristine, indivisible Imperial Pair (一對) produced under the strict oversight of the Fuliang Porcelain Bureau (浮梁瓷局). Through high-resolution micro-optical forensic imaging (100× magnification), optical emission profiling, and petrological comparison of unglazed foot-rims, this study demonstrates identical pyrochemical signatures: 1. The identical phase separation of imported Persian cobalt (Sumaliqing, 蘇麻離青) into dendritic hematite (∝Fe2O3) and magnetite (Fe3O4) crystal networks with distinctive golden iron-diffusion halos; 2. Concurrently melted iron-manganese mineral nodule eruption craters from binary Machang clay (麻倉土); and 3. Asymmetric, natural fire-red oxidation (huoshihong, 火石紅) across the flat unglazed base. Iconographically, this study reconstructs the dual imperial narrative: while SG-BW-70 (Fish and Water-Algae) embodies the Yang (陽) principle of statecraft, governance, and abundance (fugui youyu), SG-BW-71 (Mandarin Ducks in Lotus Pond, 蓮池鴛鴦) manifests the Yin (陰) principle of harmonious union, dynastic longevity, and conjugal fidelity. The exact spatial replication of the six peripheral auspicious auspicious-symbol panels (babao, 八寶) confirms that both vessels were executed from an identical workshop template (huagao) by the same master artisan. As an intact pair surviving 700 years without fracture or restoration, SG-BW-70 and SG-BW-71 represent a singular, monumental benchmark in 14th-century global ceramic history. Keywords: Yuan dynasty blue-and-white (元靑花), Fuliang Porcelain Bureau (浮梁瓷局), imperial pair (一對), 12-lobed covered box (瓜稜蓋盒), Sumaliqing (蘇麻離青), binary Machang clay (麻倉土), Mandarin ducks in lotus pond (蓮池鴛鴦), archaeometric forensics