Lot 128. A rare blue and white 'fish and lotus pond' baluster vase, 16th century; 30.2cm high. Sold for €40,960. © Bonhams 2001-2024

Provenance: Formerly in the van Daalen collection, Utrecht
Nagel, Stuttgart, 21 May 2004, lot 782a.

Note: Compare with a similar blue and white baluster vase, illustrated in John Ayers (ed.) and Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics in the Topkapi Saray Museum Istanbul, London, 1986, vol.II, no.826, p.593.

The lively motif of a leaping carp in a lotus pond often appeared on Ming dynasty porcelains. The carp which jump up the rapids in the upper course of the Yellow River to swim upstream are believed to turn into dragons at the Dragon Gate, and have long since been a symbol of the successful candidate at the difficult official state examination. The word for fish, yu, is also a homophone for 'abundance' and 'wealth', and thus was a very popular motif in the decorative arts for all its auspicious connotations.

Lot 129. A blue and white 'lotus' baluster vase, Early 16th century; 33.5cm high. Sold for €9,600. © Bonhams 2001-2024

Provenance: Formerly in the van Daalen collection, Utrecht
Nagel, Stuttgart, 21 May 2004, lot 782.

Note: Compare a very similar blue and white jar in the collection of the Topkapi Saray Museum, Istanbul, published in John Ayers (ed.) and Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics in the Topkapi Saray Museum Istanbul, London, 1986, vol.II, no.824, p.593.

Lot 130. A large blue and white 'pheasant' jar with flowers and trees, Wanli period (1573-1620); 38.5cm high. Sold for €9,600. © Bonhams 2001-2024

Provenance:Collection of Gisela Hecker, Berlin, acquired on 2 January 1984 from Gallery Günther Venzke Ostasiatica, Berlin

Note: A very similar jar is preserved in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum London, accession no. 1719-1876.

Lot 131. A blue and white 'lotus' jar, Wanli period (1573-1620); 35.5cm high. Sold for €3,584. © Bonhams 2001-2024

Provenance: Formerly in the van Daalen collection, Utrecht (by repute)
Nagel, Stuttgart, 21 May 2004, lot 782a.

Note: Compare with a similar blue and white baluster vase, illustrated in John Ayers (ed.) and Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics in the Topkapi Saray Museum Istanbul, London, 1986, vol.II, no.1329, p.738. For a similar jar and cover in the collection of the British Museum, London, see Jessica Harrison-Hall, Ming Ceramics in the British Museum, London, 2001, no.11:34, p.291.

Bonhams. CHINESE ART ONLINE, 8–15 December 2023, Paris, Avenue Hoche