Lot 77. A rare vase, Ming Dynasty, Chongzhen Reign, ca. 1640 (Transition period). Estimation : 15 000 € / 20 000 €. Courtesy Veritas Art Auctioneers, Lisboa

Chinese porcelain. Intense blue under glaze decoration. Ovoid body decorated with floral motifs and the straps depicting oriental landscapes intercalated by frieze with two faces with necklaces flanked by scrolls. Handle with flowers and scrolls (rim with small chips and handle with small loss to the glazing). Height: 20 cm

It is believed that this piece have been commissioned for the College of Saint Paul in Macau, founded by the Jesuits in 1594 

At the Medeiros e Almeida Collection and at the British Museum are kept two similar vases, although of slightly earlier date, depicting winged masks in relief. 

Antiquités et Œuvres d’Art, Argenterie et Bijoux chez Veritas Art Auctioneers, Lisboa, le 21 Février 2017 à 21h00