An Unusual Blue and White 'Mythical Beasts' Bowl Mark and Period of Wanli

finely potted with deep rounded sides rising from a slightly tapering foot to an everted rim, decorated around the exterior in cobalt with nine mythical sea creatures against a background of turbulent waves, all between a 'classic' scroll band encircling the rim and foot, the interior similarly decorated with a medallion enclosing a dragon with leaf-shaped wings within a double-line border, surrounded by five further mythical beasts and a further 'classic' scroll band bordering the rim, the base inscribed with a six-character reign mark within double circles

An old Japanese collection.

Except for a shallow chip of 0.8 x 0.5 cm to the interior of foot, and characteristic speckling and frits to the mouth rim, which is slightly worn, and overall fine surface scratches, the bowl is of rather good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A closely related bowl in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, is illustrated in Porcelain of the National Palace Museum. Blue and White Ware of the Ming Dynasty, vol. 6, Hong Kong, 1963, pl. 18; another in the Shanghai Museum is published in Lu Minghua, Qingdai guanyao ciqi[Imperial ceramics of the Qing dyansty], Shanghai 2007, pl. 1-83, together with a smaller underglaze-blue and iron red version, pl. 3-57; and a fourth example, but with a floral band encircling the rim and slightly smaller in size, was sold in our London rooms, 13th March 1973, lot 250.

Compare a Xuande bowl of this type illustrated in Chen Ching-kuang, ‘Sea Creatures on Ming Imperial Porcelain’, The Porcelains of Jingdezhen, London, 1993, pl. 1, where it is suggested that this motif may be related to the auspicious creatures described in the Shan Hai Jing [Classic of mountains and seas], a mythical geography of China from the late Bronze Age.