Lot 1560. A blue and white jar, guan, Ming dynasty, Jiajing period (1522-1566); 33.9cm., 13 3/8 in. Estimate 150,000 — 200,000 HKD. Lot sold 271,500 HKD. Courtesy Sotheby's.

of baluster form with high rounded shoulders rising to a waisted neck, painted around the sides in vivid tones of cobalt-blue with a landscape scene depicting a gathering of Immortals carrying their respective auspicious emblems and attendants, and including Shoulao seated with his deer and with a ruyi sceptre in one hand, set within a garden courtyard with lush vegetation growing from gnarled rocks, and cloud swirls drifting above, all set between lotus lappets at the foot and a band of ruyi heads at the shoulder enclosing sprays of chrysanthemum, peach, lotus, camellia and peony and surrounded by lotus sprays, the neck with ruyi shaped cloud swirls.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, 9 october 2007