A small blue and white deep bowl, Jiajing six-character mark and of the period. Photo Bonhams.

Of inverted bell form raised on a short foot, the floor of the interior well displaying a circular sun over rocks rising from waves drawn in outline and washes of purple-tinged blue also used to paint the two horses and one qilin prancing through clouds separated by further rocks and waves on the exterior walls, the six-character mark written in regular script within a double ring on the deeply recessed base. 6 1/8in (15cm) diameter. Estimate US$ 6,000 - 8,000 (€4,400 - 5,900)

Provenance: acquired in Japan, 1958-1960