Lot 214. A blue and white ‘Boys’ bowl, Ming dynasty, Jiajing-Wanli period (1522-1620); 18.3cm., 7 ¼ in. Estimate 6,000 — 8,000 GBP. Lot sold 20,000 GBP. Photo Sotheby's.

the rounded sides supported on a slightly tapered foot, vividly painted on the exterior with ten boys at play in a fenced garden with plantain, bamboo and pine, the interior with a central medallion enclosing a stylised lingzhi spray supporting a shou character, inscribed to the base with a four-character mark reading Wanfu youtong (May a myriad blessings be bestowed) within a cash coin pattern.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, London | 14 mai 2014