Lot 243. A blue and white openwork 'Baxijiang' stand, Wanli mark and period (1573-1620). 23.3 cm, 9 1/8  in. Estimate 4,000 — 6,000 GBP. Lot sold 15,000 GBP. Courtesy Sotheby's.

the hollow cylindrical body with ribs rising from a flat unglazed base, the sides modelled with five ruyi-shaped heads in openwork, with a band of birds perched on fruiting and flowering branches, above floral sprays rising from a border of stylised waves, the mouth rim with the eight beribboned Buddhist emblems and a rectangular cartouche enclosing a six-character mark in underglaze blue.

Note: A similar stand was included in the exhibition The Fame of Flame. Imperial Wares of the Jiajing and Wanli Periods, University Museum and Art Gallery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 2009, cat. no. 10.

Sotheby's. St George Street Sale: Chinese Art, London, 10 Nov 2017, 10:00 AM