Lot 1991. A rare Ming wucai square zun-form vase, Wanli six-character mark within double-squares and of the period (1573-1619); 5 in. (12.7 cm.) high. Estimate HKD 700,000 - HKD 900,000. Price realised HKD 1,460,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2010

Sturdily potted in archaic bronze form, the mid-section well enamelled with four panels each enclosing a scholar under a pine tree, divided by stylised lotus sprays at the canted corners, between a key-fret band around the spreading foot and a lingzhi scroll on the angled shoulder, the widely flaring trumpet mouth with a dragon on each face chasing a 'flaming pearl' amidst multi-coloured clouds, the interior of the mouth with doublelingzhi sprays, , wood stand, box.

Provenance: The Tsui Art Foundation, Hong Kong
Previously sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 10 April 2006, lot 1778 

Literature: Mayuyama, Seventy Years, vol. 1, Tokyo, 1976, p. 312, no. 928
Ceramic Art of the World, vol. 14, Ming Dynasty, Shogakukan, 1976, p. 204, no. 209
L. A. Cort and J. Stuart, Joined Colors, Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Simthsonian Institution, Washington D.C., 1993, p. 127, no. 54 

Note: The present vase belongs to a small group of similarly decorated Wanli-marked vases, including an example from the Idemistu Art Gallery, illustrated in Chinese Ceramics in the Idemitsu Collection, Japan, 1987, pl. 740; and a vase from the Edward T. Chow Collection, sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 19 January 1981, lot 434. Two further vases were sold at Christie's Hong Kong: the first was sold, 31 March 1992, lot 566 and the other, 1 November 2004, lot 1102. 

Christie's. The Imperial Sale Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, 31 May 2010