Lot 1562. A large blue and white 'Four Gentlemens' bowl, mark and period of Wanli (1573-1619); 29.2cm., 11 1/2 in. Estimate HKD 250,000 — 300,000. Price realised HKD 307,500. Courtesy Sotheby's 

the deep rounded sides of the robustly potted bowl well-painted on the exterior in bright cobalt blue with the 'The Four Gentlemen' - prunus, pine, bamboo, and chrysanthemum, each blooming from a stem twisted in the form of one of the characters fu (happiness), shou (longevity), kang (health), ning (tranquility), the interior left undecorated in white glaze.