Lot 100. A rare blue and white 'Lotus and Bajixiang' stem bowl, Wanli Mark And Period; 15.9cm., 6 1/4 in. Estimate 60,000 - 80,000 GBP. Unsold. © Sotheby's 2013 

the deep rounded sides rising from a tall straight foot to a slightly everted rim, painted around the exterior in rich cobalt-blue tones with the bajixiang within a continuous lotus scroll, all above a lappet and classic scroll band at the lower body and foot, the interior with the six-character mark inscribed within a rectanglular cartouche

Provenance: Property of a European Collector, acquired in 1972.

Christie's New York, 14th September 2012, lot 1417.

Note: The form, design and vertical reign mark of the present bowl have been inspired by vessels made in the Xuande period and combined onto the one piece. With its tall foot, rounded form and charming decoration of the bajixiang placed above a band of scrolling lotus blooms, this bowl follows closely after its Xuande prototype, such as one with a similarly shaped and decorated cover, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, published in Blue-and-White Ware of the Ming Dynasty, bk. II, Hong Kong, 1963, pl. 33. The design continued to be employed on blue and white porcelain in the 18th century, for example see a Kangxi mark and period bowl in the Palace Museum, Beijing, included in Qing Shunzi Kangxi qinghua ci, Beijing, 2005, pl. 115.