Lot 1067. A Zhangzhou ware slip-decorated brown-glazed vase, Ming dynasty, 16th-17th century; 11 in. (28.2 cm.) high. Estimate USD 7,000 - USD 9,000. Price realised USD 7,500. © Christie’s Images Limited 2019.

The pear-shaped vase is decorated in white slip on an amber-brown ground with two flower-pots of leafy, blossoming chrysanthemum growing amidst rockwork, Japanese wood box. 

Note: Two slip-decorated brown-ground 'garlic mouth’ vases with similarly-rendered plants in the British Museum, are illustrated by J. Harrison-Hall, Ming Ceramics in the British Museum, London, 2001, p. 34, pls. II:188 and II:189, where they are dated Ming dynasty, c. 1573-1620. The author notes that this combination of toffee-brown ground with contrasting white decoration was first introduced in the Wanli period, and that shards of this type dating to the late Ming era have been excavated at Zhushan in Jingdezhen.