A very rare relief-moulded blue and white porcelain vase, 'fang gu', China, Wanli six-character mark and of the period. Photo Nagel Auktionen

The square vase is moulded in relief and painted in cobalt with pairs of dragons amid floral sprigs in panels on both the splayed base and the bulbous mid-section, pierced lion-mask handles have been additionally applied. The waisted neck features two rows of overlapping plantain leaves, the vertical rim with a scroll band interrupted by the reign mark within a cartouche, the base painted to represent a stand, with shaped spandrels connecting the ruyi-shaped legs, all supported by the squared foot with a further classic scroll band - H. 59,1 cm - Estimate 40000/60000 €

Provenance: Former collection T.T.Tsui, Hongkong

Only four other vases of this rare shape, size and moulded pattern appear to be published, one is illustrated in Sekai Toji Zenshu, Ceramic Art of the World, Ming Dynasty, vol. 14, p. 99, pl. 102; the other was included in the Osaka Museum exhibition Ming and Qing Ceramics and Works of Art, 1980, p. 26, fig. 92; the last from the Shinichi Sasagawa Collection, Osaka, Japan, is illustrated in Mayuyama, Seventy Years, Mayuyama & Co., Ltd, Tokyo, 1976, fig.95 and the last example was offered by Christie's Hong Kong, 1.12.2009, Lot 1879.

Nagel Auktionen. 2013/05/08. http://www.auction.de/