Lot 3301. A wucai 'figures' deep bowl, Wanli six-character mark within double circles and of the period (1573-1619); 6 1/8 in. (15.7 cm.) diam. Estimate HKD 900,000 - HKD 1,200,000. Price Realized HKD 1,180,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2013

The bowl is finely potted with deep rounded sides rising from a tall narrow foot to a straight rim, vividly painted in red, green, brown, yellow enamels and underglaze blue with a continuous landscape depicting two scholars dressed in official attire with two attendants arranged at the four cardinal points, between a peony scroll at the rim and a keyfret band around the foot. The interior is decorated with a central medallion enclosing a five-clawed dragon embracing a flaming pearl, below a band of Eight Precious Objects on the rim., Japanese wood box.

Provenance: A Japanese family collection, formed in the Meiji period (1868-1912).