Lot 33. A fine blue and white 'lotus and ducks' sleeve vase, Shunzhi period (1644-1661). Estimate £15,000 - 20,000 (€17,000 - 22,000). Photo: Bonhams.

The strongly-potted body vibrantly painted in vivid shades of underglaze blue with a continuous scene of four ducks in flight and at rest amongst rockwork, lotus, peonies and grasses, all between delicately-incised decorative bands at the foot and neck and freely-painted lappets at the rim. 46.5cm (18 1/4in) high

Provenance: S. Marchant & Son, Ltd., London, acquired on 28 September 1982
Sonia Lightfoot (1937-2016), and thence by descent

Exhibited and Published: Oriental Ceramic Society, The World in Blue and White, London, 2 June - 30 November 2003, no.65

Notes: The lotus (lian 蓮) and reed (lu 蘆) depicted on the vase is a rebus for the blessing 'may you pass your exams all the way' (yilu lianke 一路連科). The theme of succeeding up the ladder of Civil Service examinations is confirmed by the ducks (ya 鴨). The Chinese character for duck bears the radical for 'armour' (jia 甲), which is also the term used for the classification of successful candidates in the final Palace examinations. The flying ducks encapsulated the aspirations of hopeful literati wishing to rise up and serve the dynasty as high-ranking officials.

Compare with a related blue and white sleeve vase, with flowers and birds, Shunzhi, illustrated in Seventeenth Century Jingdezhen Porcelain from the Shanghai Museum and the Butler Collections, Shanghai, 2005, pl.40.

A blue and white sleeve vase, with flowers and birds, Shunzhi period (1644-1661) in The Butler Collection.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE ART, 10 november 2016, 10:30 GMT, LONDON, NEW BOND STREET