A famille verte hexagonal jardinière, Qing dynasty, Kangxi period. Estimate 6,000 — 8,000 USD. Photo: Sotheby's

the sides with six recessed panels each finely painted with scenes of Magu with attendants and attributes of longevity, in delicate tones of green, yellow, iron-red, black and gilt, the interior unglazed, all supported on five bracket feet, the central drainage hole filled with a circular plug, wood stand (2). Length 13 in., 33 cm

Provenance: Acquired in the 1940s or 50s and thence by descent. 

Notes: Two jardinières of this rare type have sold at auction. One was sold at Christie's New York, 23rd March 1998, lot 207, and the other was sold in these rooms 8th April 1988, lot 202, having previously sold in the Yamanaka sale and exhibition Collection of Chinese and Other Far Eastern Art, New York, 1943, no. 1174.

The delicate  manner of the enameling on the present jardinière is particularly fine. Compositions such as the varying scenes of Magu were often derived from wood block prints; a device in popular use since the late Ming dynasty. However the deft, painterly brushwork on the present piece represents one of many signal achievements and innovations of Kangxi period porcelain production.  

Sotheby's. Important Chinese Art, New York, 15 sept. 2015