A blue and white Transitional brush pot, 17th Century, Chenghua mark

Lot 609. A blue and white Transitional brush pot, 17th Century, Chenghua mark. Height 13 cm. Estimate 2 694 € / 2 887 €. Lot sold 3 810 €. © Bukowskis

This slightly waisted brush pot – being one centimetre wider at the glazed rim than at the base – is decorated in a vibrant under glaze blue. The glaze on the outside is more shiny and smooth than that on the inside - suggesting the application of two different glazes. There is a shallow groove to the foot rim of the pot and the glazed base has an apocryphal six-character Chenghua mark.

Note: The scene is thought to be as that described in Part I/Act II of “The Romance of the Western Chamber” – referred to as “The Renting of the Quarters in the Monastery”.