A blue and white jar, guan, Wanli period (1573-1619). Estimate HK$120,000 - HK$180,000 ($15,557 - $23,335). Price Realized HK$125,000 ($ 16,201). Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2015

The jar is painted on the exterior in cobalt of vivid inky blue tones with four shaped panels enclosing peony and prunus plants emerging from rocks and surrounded by butterflies, all conjoined by strapwork borders against a blue ground. It is further decorated with lappet panels around the base and smaller panels of floral sprays around the shoulder. The unglazed base is inscribed in ink Da Ming Wan Li Shi Liu Nian Li, 'Made in the 16th year of the Wanli period of the Great Ming dynasty', corresponding to 1588. 13 3/4 in. (35 cm.) high

Provenance: Sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 26 April 2004. lot 1033

Christie's. THE PAVILION SALE - CHINESE CERAMICS & WORKS OF ART, 6 October 2015, 22nd Floor