Lot 69. A rare Ming-style blue and white pilgrim flask, bianhu, Yongzheng six-character seal mark in underglaze-blue and of the period (1723-1735). Estimate £60,000 – £80,000 ($87,360 - $116,480). Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2016.

The elegantly potted flask is painted to each side of the rounded body with four large flower blooms surrounded by stylised foliage, encircled by a band of classic scroll and below a pair of handles with ruyi-shaped terminals. The neck and shoulder of the vessel are similarly decorated with stylised floral scrolls. 7 1/8 in. (18.3 cm.) high

Notes: The decoration on the current vase, rendered in rich shades of cobalt blue, simulates the 'heaping and piling' effect characteristic of the early Ming period. The shape of this vessel was inspired by prototypes that were popular during the Xuande reign (1426- 435). It is particularly rare to find this design of floral scrolls on pilgrim flasks, as it is more common to find this type of decoration on large dishes or flasks of a different shape. See a Xuande period blue and white pilgrim flask of a very similar shape to the current lot, but decorated with a different design, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum - 34 - Blue and White Porcelain with Underglazed Red (1), Hong Kong, 2000, pl. 95, p. 101.

Christie's. INSPIRED THEMES: A FINE SELECTION OF CHINESE WORKS OF ART, 10 May 2016, London, King Street