Page 91 - Bonhams May 16, 2019 London Asian Art

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A BLUE AND WHITE ‘JESUIT’ JAR
Circa 1610-1630
The vessel with five-lobed ovoid body rising from
a domed foot to a short waisted neck and flared
rim, applied at the shoulder with three cherub-head
masks issuing from grapevines alternating with floral
sprays, all above stylised lotus scrolls at the foot and
below a floral band at the neck.
12.8cm (5in) high.

£8,000 - 10,000
CNY70,000 - 88,000

約1610至1630年 外銷耶穌會青花花卉紋小罐

Jars of such a shape as the present example were
inspired by European metal prototypes. A similar
blue and white jar, Ming dynasty, from the British
Museum, London, is illustrated by J.Harrison-
Hall, Ming Ceramics, London, 2001, pl.12:61.
A related piece, 17th century, decorated with the
emblems of Christ’s Passion, Betrayal, Crucifixion
and Descent from the Cross, in the collection of the
Fundacao Medeiros e Almeida, Lisbon, is illustrated
in Caminhos da Porcelana. Dinastias Ming e Qing,
Lisbon, 1999, p.160, pl.14, where it is mentioned
that this type of vessels was made on order for
Portuguese Jesuits.

Two similar blue and white jars decorated with
cherubs and grapevines, circa 1610-1630, were 91
sold at Sotheby’s London, 12 July 2006, lot 77
and 4 November 2009, lot 69.

92
A PAIR OF BLUE AND WHITE SQUARE
BOTTLE VASES
Wanli
Both vases form with the sides rising to the high
rounded shoulders decorated with interlocking
designs of ruyi tendrils, surmounted by spiralling
ribbed and cylindrical necks and similarly decorated
with panels depicting shrubs of blooming peonies
and chrysanthemums issuing from rockwork.
16.5cm (6 1/2in) high. (2).

£8,000 - 10,000
CNY70,000 - 88,000

明萬曆 青花花卉紋方瓶一對

92

For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue. FINE CHINESE ART | 89