A large blue and white 'hundred cranes' jar. Wanli six-character mark and of the period. Photo Bonhams

Sturdily potted in the form of a large guan with high shoulders rising to a gently waisted neck and a lipped rim, intricately painted on the exterior with a continuous scene of flying cranes amongst scrolling clouds in white against blue ground, beneath a wavy vine scroll at the neck and a vertical-striped rim at the top, the base with the underglaze-blue six-character mark within a double circles. 38cm high. Lot 266. Estimate: HK$ 500,000 - 800,000 / US$ 64,000 - 100,000 . £40,000 - 64,000. Unsold 

明萬曆 青花畫

百鶴圖大罐 青花「大明萬曆年製」楷書款

Provenance 來源:
The Tsui Museum of Art, Hong Kong, no.PB128, by repute (affixed label)

The crane represents many auspicious meanings and is a particularly popular immagery in Chinese history. It is associated with immortality due to its feathery white wings which stands for old age, where ancient Chinese believed that cranes could live for over one thousand years. On embroideries and garments worn by civil officials, the crane is also a symbol for high rank, repressenting the highest class. The crane or 'he', is also a pun for togetherness. The subject of a hundred cranes on the current lot is therefore, a supremely auspicious motif.

For a similar Wanli hundred cranes reverse decorated jar exhibited at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, seeExhibition of Ancient Chinese Ceramics from the Collection of the Kau Chi Society of Chinese Art, Hong Kong, 1981, p.88.

Bonhams. 27 May 2012 2 p.m. Hong Kong. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art