Lot 136. A blue and white 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' sleeve vase, Ming dynasty, Chongzhen period (1627-1644). Height 45.7 cm, Japanese wood box (3). Estimate 40,000 - 60,000 USD. Lot Sold 66,000 USD. © Sotheby's.

Note: Based on the 14th-century novel, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the present vase is finely painted depicting the scene of Li Su gifting the famed general Lü Bu a treasured horse in hopes of persuading Lü to surrender and join the forces of the warlord Dong Zhuo. The two are depicted speaking inside Lü's tent while other warriors are stationed outside, either guarding the entrance or tending to the horse.

Set in the turbulent years of the end of the Han dynasty, the novel gained immense popularity during the Ming dynasty due to the wide circulation of woodblock prints that were produced for the novel. As such, it was also a frequent motif on porcelains of the late Ming and early Qing periods.

For a Chongzhen blue and white gang, similarly depicting the same scene, see one in the Palace Museum, Beijing (accession no. 新00114150) and published on the Museum's website.

Sotheby's. Chinese Art, New York, 18 September 2024