A rare large blue and white 'Fish' Bowl, Wanli Mark and Period - Sotheby's

the deep rounded sides rising to an everted rim, the exterior painted with mackerel, white fish, carp and freshwater perch amongst smaller fish and various aquatic weeds, above a band of lappets encircling the base, the interior with a pair of cranes in flight among clouds within a medallion enclosed by a cloud-collar border, and a similar frieze around the rim, six-character mark in underglaze blue within double circles, Japanese wood box (3). Diameter 12 5/8  in., 32 cm - Estimation: 40,000 - 60,000 USD

PROVENANCE:  Christie's London, 10th June 1996, lot 84

NOTE: A Wanli marked bowl of similar size and pattern is illustrated in the revised Sekai Toji Zenshu, vol. 14, pl. 221, and another was included in the Tokyo National Museum Exhibition of Chinese Arts of the Ming and Ch'ing Periods, 1963, Catalogue, no. 314.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art. New York | 19 mars 2013 - www.sothebys.com