Lot 809. A blue and white 'mythical animals' bowl, Ming dynasty, Wanli period (1573-1619). Estimate 20,000 — 30,000 HKD. Unsold. Photo: Sotheby's.

painted with a continuous band of animals including an elephant, two horses, and a Buddhist lion, each supporting a lotus flower on its back, interspersed with clouds and 'flaming pearls' between a band of crested waves and a key-fret border below the rim, the interior with a medallion enclosing a qilin, the base inscribed with an apocryphal Xuande mark; 15.8 cm, 6 1/4 in. 

Provenance: Sotheby's Hong Kong, 24th November 1981, lot 103.

Sotheby's. Chinese Art, Hong Kong | 02 Jun 2016