The scene of the figures playing weiqi can also be seen as part of the decoration on a similar type of jar illustrated in Panoramic Views of Chinese Patterns, Tokyo, 1985, no. 50. The scene on both jars includes a figure seated between the players observing the game, who, because of his halo, may represent Laozi. He can also be identified by his distinctive topknot and his ruyi-shaped scepter. The other two gentleman may represent the frontier guardian Yin Xi, who became an immortal, and Zhang Ling, upon whom Laozi conferred the title tianshi, Celestial Master. Both of these immortals are usually shown flanking Laozi. All three are significant personages in Daoism, as is Xiwangmu depicted on the reverse.

Christie’s. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 18 – 19 September 2014, New York, Rockefeller Plaza.