A blue and white lotus flower jar. Ming dynasty, Jiajing period

robustly potted, painted with a wide band of a meandering stem sprouting alternating large single and paired lotus flowers, together with large pads and trefoil leaves, skirted around the waisted foot by a border of stylised lappets, all below a band of peony scrolls around the shoulder and detached ruyi emblems tied with ribbons collaring the short flared neck. 33 cm., 13 in. Estimate 100,000—150,000 HKD

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art. 08 Apr 09. Hong Kong www.sothebys.com photo courtesy Sotheby's