Page 87 - Ming Porcelain Auction March 14, 2017 Sotheby's, NYC

2007 1 74 G arlic-mouth vases of this distinctive form are outstanding among the
larger Wanli wares and examples are known decorated with several
1996 3 28 343 variations in the horizontal bands. A very similar vase in the Shanghai
Museum is illustrated in Lu Minghua, Mingdai guanyao ciqi [Ming imperial por-
4 celain], Shanghai, 2007, pl. 1-74; another was sold at Christie’s New York, 28th
March 1996, lot 343, and published in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics from the
1 2010 1697 Meiyintang Collection, London, vol. 4, pt. 1, 2010, pl. 1697; and a third, but with
a reduced rim, from the collection of Dr Hsi Hai Chang, Minister Plenipotentiary
Hsi Hai Chang of the Chinese Republic, was sold in these rooms, 23rd/24th May 1974, lot 352.
Two related vases, with the same design but with a lingzhi scroll on the neck,
1974 5 23 24 were sold in our London rooms, the rst, from the Hay collection, on 25th June
1946, lot 24, and the second on 21st June 1983, lot 249; and another was sold
352 at Christie’s London, 27th November 1967, lot 42.

Hay Similar vases can also be found painted in the wucai palette; see one illustrated
in John Ayers, The Baur Collection. Geneva, vol. 2, Geneva, 1969, pl. A203;
1946 6 25 24 and one in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, published in Minji meihin
zuroku, vol. III, Tokyo, 1978, pl. 99. See also a smaller vase, formerly in the
1983 6 21 249 Lindley-Scott Collection and later sold in our London rooms, 4th July 1945, lot
80, included in Soame Jenyns, Ming Pottery and Porcelain, London, 1988, pl.
1967 11 27 42 187; another in the Chang Foundation published in James Spencer, Selected
Chinese Ceramics from Han to Qing Dynasties, Taipei, 1990, pl. 110; and a third
John sold in our Los Angeles rooms, 2nd November 1981, lot 304.

Ayers The Baur Collection Geneva The shape of this vase, with its bulbous head, appears to be based on archaic
2 bronze prototypes, such as a pair attributed to the Western Han period (206
1969 A203 BC – AD 9), sold twice in our New York rooms, 12th/13th March 1975, lot 157, and
again, 22nd March 2011, lot 191, from the collection of J.T. Tai & Co. Chenghua
⚛ III 1978 blue and white porcelain would also have served as inspiration; for an example
of which see a pear-shaped vase rising to a lotus bud-shaped mouth with raised
99 Lindley Scott overlapping layers of petals, the body painted with lotus blooms on meandering
leafy stems, sold in these rooms, 9th October 2007, lot 1557.
1945 7 4

80 Soame Jenyns Ming

Pottery and Porcelain 1988

187

1990 110

1981 11 2 304

1975 3 12 13 157 2011 3
22 191 1557

2007 10 9