A massive blue and white 'Fish' jar, Wanli Mark and Period - photo Sotheby's

sturdily potted, of large ovoid form, the exterior painted in pale underglaze blue with a  frieze of mackerel, whitefish, carp and freshwater perch swimming amid flowering lotus plants and pond weed above crested waves, all below a border painted with cartouches of cranes on a key-fret diaper ground on the shoulder, the base encircled by stylized lotus petal panels, the waisted neck with a collar of classic scroll, the base with six-character mark in underglaze blue; Height 22 1/2  in., 57 cm - Estimation: 100,000 - 150,000 USD

PROVENANCE: Christie's London, 19th June 2001, lot 42.

Sotheby's Hong Kong, 10th April 2006, lot 1669

NOTE: The names of the four fish painted on the present lot forms the rebus qingbai lianjie (pure and incorruptible), a message to scholars to persevere, while maintaining high ethical standards, and a wish for great prosperity and success.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art. New York | 19 mars 2013 - www.sothebys.com