Lot 120. A large fahua ‘Peacock and Peony’ jar, Ming dynasty, 16th century; 38.7cm., 15 1/4 in. Estimation: 20,000 — 30,000 GBP. Lot sold 62,500 GBP. Photo: Sothebys 2013

the rounded shoulder tapering to a gently spreading foot, surmounted by a short neck with lipped rim, the exterior decorated in yellow, aubergine and turquoise enamel against a dark blue ground, depicting a pair of peacocks in a garden with blossoming peony branches, lingzhi and pierced rocks, all below a band of ruyi-shaped cartouches each enclosing a floral bouquet, the rim with stylised ruyi clouds and the foot with a lappet band, glazed in green to the interior.

Provenance: A Japanese Private Collection.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. London, 15 mai 2013