Lot 1888. An exceptionally fine Ming-style blue and white vase, meiping, Qianlong six-character sealmark and of the period (1736-1795). Estimate HKD 4,000,000 - HKD 6,000,000 (USD 518,501 - USD 777,751). Price Realised  HKD 7,460,000 (USD 967,167). © Christie's Images Ltd 2009. 

The vase is potted with a broad shoulder and waisted neck, the exterior painted in deep shades of blue with simulated 'heaping and piling', with six fruit and flowersprays arranged in two registers, comprising lychee, peach, pomegranate, peony, prunus and lotus, above a band of upright plantain leaves at the foot, ten petal panels below the neck painted with four floral sprays - 12 5/8 in. (32 cm.) high, box

Provenance: Previously sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 29 October 1991, lot 164, and from the Robert Chang collection sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 1 November 2004, lot 1078 

Exhibited: Christie's London, An Exhibition of Important Chinese Ceramics from the Robert Chang Collection, 1993, Catalogue, p. 183, no. 86 

Notes: The inspiration for this shape and pattern originates from examples produced during the early Ming period, such as the 15th century example in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Blue and White Ware of the Ming Dynasty, Book II (part 1), Hong Kong, 1963, pl. 1; and two other meiping vases illustrated by T. Misugi, The Ardebil Shrine Collection, Hong Kong University Press, 1981, nos. A69 and A70.