Each is finely enamelled with a coiling vine intertwined with bamboo, heavily laden with ripe bitter melon fruits growing amidst yellow blossoms and large leaves painted in two shades of green. The design starts at the foot and continues over the mouth rim into the interior before meandering to the exterior again. The vines and bamboo stalks extend around the sides, with two colourful butterflies fluttering above, box.

Provenance: Sold at Christie's New York, 15 September 2011, lot 1661.

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, 26 November 2014