Lot 36. A good fahua 'Eight Immortals' jar, Ming dynasty, 15th century; 35cm., 13 3/4 in. Estimate 12,000 — 15,000 GBP. Lot sold 14,400 GBP. Photo: Sotheby's.

of sturdily potted baluster form, finely slip decorated, incised and brightly glazed in aubergine, yellow and turquoise around the exterior with the 'Eight Immortals', each standing holding his respective attribute amidst cloud scrolls, tumultuous foaming waves and mountains, reserved on a rich dark blue ground, all between a lotus-lappet band at the waisted base and a bajixiang-filled ruyi collar at the broad shoulder, the short tapering neck with three cloud scrolls, the interior glazed green.

Note: For a very similar jar, see J. Harrison-Hall, Ming Ceramics in the British Museum, London, 2001, no.13.20, which the author dates to the late 15th/early 16th Century; another closely related example is illustrated in R. Krahl, Chinese Ceramics: The Anthony de Rothschild Collection, vol. 1, London, 1996, no. 72.

Porcelain wine jar and cover with incised and 'fahua'-type decoration, Ming dynasty, circa 1488-1522. Height: 43.5 cm; Franks.195.+ © 2017 Trustees of the British Museum