Lot 229. A rare molded and reticulated fahua jar and cover, Ming dynasty. Height 16 1/2  in., 41.9 cm. Estimate 30,000 — 50,000 USD. Lot sold 30,000  USD. Photo: Sotheby's 2014

of baluster form, the open work outer layer depicting two sages seated in a forest setting, one playing the qinas the other observes, behind them a censer issues curling wisps of smoke, long branches of bristling pine hangs off to one side while large scrolling clouds dominate the reverse, all between a band of upright lappets and an openwork row of peony blooms with a narrow band of petals and detached clouds on the short neck, all in blue, turquoise, yellow, white and aubergine, the interior glazed green, the fitted cover with two floral sprigs and a pointed knop (2).

Provenance: Idemitsu Museum of Arts, Tokyo.

Literature: Idemitsu Bijutsukan zhin zuroku. Chugoku toji / Chinese Ceramics in the Idemitsu Collection, Vol. 3, Tokyo, 1987, no. 683.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, New York, 18 march 2014