Lot 1575. A rare blue and white box and cover, Wanli six-character mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1573-1619), 10 ¼ in. (26 cm.) diam. Estimate USD 40,000 - USD 60,000. Price realised USD 87,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2016

The domed cover is painted in brilliant shades of cobalt blue with a dignitary seated before a screen in a walled garden in discussion with two scholars and flanked by attendants, all within a raised medallion. The rounded sides are decorated with four shaped panels containing fruiting and flowering sprigs, birds and butterflies, beneath a triple-lozenge border on top and a key-fret border around the foot. Both the box and cover are bound with a metal rim, Japanese box. 

Provenance: Private collection, Japan.
Christie's Hong Kong, 1 November 2004, lot 1100.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art part II, 17 - 18 March 2016, New York