A Cizhou-type 'arrow' vase, Ming Dynasty

The heavily potted vase with a compressed globular body and tall cylindrical neck with lug handles on either side of the mouth, painted with underglaze brown and overglaze enamel on a cream slip around the body with a band of Buddhist lions below a border of lotus scrolls, the tall neck painted on both sides with shaped cartouches enclosing a seated Daoist immortal against a floral ground, all below a ruyi-head border and band of bamboo and pierced rockwork at the mouth. 43.5cm (17in) high. Estimate: £8,000 - 12,000 - Unsold

Provenance: an American private collection, New York
Warren E. Cox and Associates, New York

Note: A similar vase dated to circa 1522-1566 is illustrated by J.Harrison-Hall, Ming Ceramics in the British Museum, London, 2001, p.437, fig.14:6.

Bonhams. Fine Chinese Art, 14 May 2009. New Bond Street www.bonhams.com