Lot 1392. A rare late Ming reverse-decorated blue and white 'Hundred cranes' jar, Wanli six-character mark within double-circles and of the period (1573-1619); 13 in. (33 cm.) high. Estimate HKD 300,000 - HKD 400,000. Price realised HKD 360,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2006.

The heavily potted jar finely painted to the sides with a dense overall design of cranes in flight, their wings outstretched, amid scrolling clouds, all reserved in white on a cobalt-blue ground, below a narrow petal lappet border repeated in reverse on the moulded mouth rim above a band of foliate scroll encircling the neck, the mark with a double ring countersunk into the centre of the unglazed base, Japanese wood box.

Provenance: A Japanese private collection.

Note: Cranes, as symbols of longevity, were a popular motif on Chinese ceramics. The design on this jar, known as 'hundred cranes', was therefore particularly auspicious. The paintings of designs on blue and white porcelains so that the ground appears blue and the individual motifs appear reserved in white was a feature of mid-Yuan and Xuande wares. This technique was time consuming and required more skill than the normal blue and white designs, so that it fell from use during the later 15th century and early 16th century.

The use of reserve decoration became popular again in the Jiajing and Wanli periods where various designs, particularly those of birds and floral motifs were depicted against a blue ground. 

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, 30 May 2006