Page 34 - Bonhams Chinese Art London May 2013
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24 The large heavy jar is typical of late Ming production, and the size alone
A blue and white ‘duck and lotus’ jar made the creation of such pieces great technical achievements, requiring
Wanli up to twenty days in the kiln, carefully regulated at various degrees of
Sturdily potted and brightly painted on the exterior with a continuous heat. The design of elegantly-spaced fowl amongst water-weeds is also
scene of ducks swimming amongst large blooming lotus flowers and distinctively late Ming; see for example a related jar with the swimming
broad lotus leaves, above foaming waves at the foot and beneath a ducks and lotus flowers illustrated in Chinese Ceramics in the Idemitsu
band of ruyi-head below classic scroll at the neck. Collection, Japan, 1987, no.718. Compare also a jar of similar size and
36cm (14 1/8in) high form from the Huaihaitang Collection, with a Wanli six-character mark
£15,000 - 18,000 and of the period, but painted with birds in flight, illustrated by P.K.Lam,
HK$180,000 - 210,000 CNY140,000 - 170,000 Enlightening Elegance: Imperial Porcelain of the Mid to Late Ming: The
Huaihaitang Collection, Hong Kong, 2012, no.123. A similar jar sold at
明萬曆 青花蘆雁荷蓮紋罐 Sotheby’s London, 4 November 2009, lot 73.
30 | Bonhams
