Lot 660. A rare blue and white water vessel, Ming Dynasty, Late 15th-Early 16th century. Estimate 30,000 — 50,000 USD. Photo Sotheby's.

the globular body molded at the widest point with two raised horizontal ribs, with further ribs to the shoulder rising to a deep bowl-shaped mouth, the inside of the neck with a reticulated filter, the body densely painted with broad bands of lotus and peony scrolls, with a band of lappets at the foot, and the waisted neck with segmented florets, all divided by double line borders. Height 7 5/8  in., 19.4 cm high 

Note: Most likely copying a metalwork prototype, this rare vessel would have been used in Western and Southeast Asia to keep water free from impurities. Compare a similar vessel mounted with a gold 17th century Ottoman mount in the Topkapi Museum, illustrated in Regina Krahl and John Ayers, Chinese Ceramics in the Topkapi Saray Museum, Istanbul, London, vol. II, pl. 665, 1986.

Sotheby's. Important Chinese Art, New York, 14 Mar 2017, 10:30 AM