Lot 27. A rare and large blue and white 'Immortal' garlic-mouth vase, Ming dynasty, 16th century. Hauteur : 55 cm. Vendu : EUR 27,720 (Estimation : EUR 20,000 – EUR 30,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2023

Provenance: Previously from a French private collection.

Note: The Jiajing Emperor was a fervent Daoist and became obsessed by the quest for immortality. Accordingly the overriding theme on ceramics and decorative arts of the Jiajing period reflected the emperor's pre-occupation with Daoism and longevity.
Similar gatherings of the Eight Immortals arriving to greet Shoulao are seen on 16th century fahua-decorated jars such as the example sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 1 December 2010, lot 3118. Compare to a blue and white vase of the same form and slightly larger size (64.1 cm.), similarly decorated with Shoulao and immortals, dating to the second half of 16th century, sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 23 May 1978, lot 58, and illustrated in Sotheby's Hong Kong Twenty Years, Hong Kong, 1993, no. 112.
See another blue and white double-gourd vase with very comparable decoration, dated Jiajing period, in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum (CIRC.84-1935).

Vase of double gourd shape, porcelain painted in underglaze cobalt blue; China (Jingdezhen), Ming dynasty, Jiajing period (1522-1566). Height: 54.1cm. Diameter: 24.1cm. Purchased with Art Fund support, the Vallentin Bequest, Sir Percival David and the Universities China Committee. CIRC.84-1935. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Christie's. ART D'ASIE, Paris, 12 december 2023