Lot 133. A rare yellow-glazed blue and white 'boys at play' stembowl, Ming dynasty, 15th century. Diameter 7 in., 17.8 cm. Estimate: 10,000 - 15,000 USD. Lot sold: 27,720 USD. Courtesy Sotheby's.

elegantly potted, the tall cylindrical stem rising from a slightly spreading foot to a deep rounded bowl flaring at the rim, painted to the exterior in cobalt tones with a lively scene of boys at play within a fenced garden, some playing ball games, others burning incense or walking birds, all above a lappet band, the stem with stylized clouds floating above crested waves, the interior with a central medallion of three boys under a pine tree within a triple-line border, the interior rim encircled by a floral diaper band, the rim bound in metal.

Sotheby's. Important Chinese Art, New York, 17 march 2021