Lot 3001. An unusal blue and white ‘Immortals’ rectangular plaque, Ming dynasty, circa 1500. Estimate HKD 300,000 - HKD 500,000. Price realised HKD 350,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2017

The plaque is painted in ‘wind swept’ style in various shades of underglaze blue with four of the Eight Immortals, seated at leisure beneath a gnarled pine tree amongst plants and rocks, all before a mountain range partially obscured by thick rolling clouds. The porcelain plaque, 7 1/8 x 8 in. (18.2 x 20.3 cm.), fruitwood frame and stand, Japanese wood box.

Provenance: A Japanese private collection, actively collecting over the last 20 years

Note: The underside of the cover of the box is inscribed by Kushi Takushin (1898-1979), a renowned Japanese Sinologist, describing the plaque as rare and dating it to the early Ming dynasty.