Page 88 - Bonhams May 16, 2019 London Asian Art

88 †
A RARE AND LARGE BLUE AND WHITE BEAKER VASE, GU
Wanli six-character mark and of the period
Deftly painted around the central globular body with alternating
baskets and bowls containing flowers, the conical lower body with
insects in flight amidst flowering plants above a band of prunus
blossoms on a wave ground, the tall neck encircled by a wide bow-
string band separating a band of composite floral scroll and a band of
upright plantain leaves, the rim with a band of classic scroll interrupted
by the reign mark written in a rectangular panel.
57.5cm (22 5/8in) high.
£100,000 - 150,000
CNY880,000 - 1,300,000
明萬曆 青花花卉紋大觚
青花「大明萬曆年製」楷書橫款

Gu vases enjoyed a great popularity during the reign of the Wanli
emperor, and were produced in numerous variations of size and
decoration. Large vases such as the present example, however,
appear to be quite rare. In addition to its exceptionally large size, the
present vase is notable for the flowing and naturalistic brushstrokes
and the balanced interplay between elegance and archaic stateliness.

A similar blue and white gu vase, Wanli mark and period, of slightly
larger size, is illustrated in the Enlightening Elegance. Imperial Porcelain
of the Mid to Late Qing Period. The Huanghuaitang Collection, Hong
Kong, 2012, pp.388-391. A related wucai gu vase, Wanli, decorated
with dragons and peonies, is illustrated in The Complete Collection of
Treasures of the Palace Museum. Wucai Doucai, Shanghai, 199, p.37,
no.34.

For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
86 | BONHAMS please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue.