Lot 519. A blue and white censer, Ming dynasty, circa 1640. Diameter 8½ in., 21.5 cm. Estimate 30,000 - 50,000 USD. Lot sold 69,300 USD. © Sotheby's 2020.

of bombé form supported on a straight foot, finely painted around the exterior with a narrative scene of a fisherman called away from his post to meet an official accompanied by a retinue of attendants and armored guards, bearing banners and standards, all set within a detailed landscape of rockwork and willow trees by the sides of a riverbank, the fisherman's abandoned rod, mat and basket on a rocky terrace in the distance. 

Note: The narrative design depicts King Wen of Zhou seeking the advice of the hermit scholar Jiang Ziya, later known as Taigong Wang. According to the legend, in the 12th/11th century BC, the scholar official Jiang Ziya had become disillusioned with the rulership of the Shang dynasty and so retired from service to spend the rest of his days fishing, waiting to serve a new and moral king. In planning to overthrow the Shang, King Wen of Zhou sought talented scholars versed in the arts of war and administration. He appointed Jiang Ziya to be his prime minister and gave him the title Hope of the Duke of Zhou. With Jiang Ziya's help, the Shang was overthrown and the Zhou dynasty was firmly established.

 Sotheby's. Important Chinese Art, Live Auction, 23 September 2020, New York