A FINE AND RARE BLUE AND WHITE 'ARROW' VASE MARK AND PERIOD OF WANLI

modelled after a Xuande prototype, potted with a baluster body resting on a slightly splayed foot and surmounted by a gently waisted neck and lipped mouthrim, the neck flanked by a pair of tubular lug handles, the body painted in rich cobalt-blue tones with a continuous foliate scroll, between bands of plantain leaves encircling the base of the neck and the lower body of the vessel, the centre of the neck and handles bordered with a key-fret band, between two friezes of crashing waves, the countersunk base inscribed with a six-character reign mark within a double-circle

Collection of Alan Abramson, Detroit, purchased in 1960s, by repute.

The overall condition is very good, except for some original firing imperfections and minor kiln flakes to the unglazed footrim.
"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."

It is very rare to find a Wanli mark and period vase of this form and decoration, and no other closely related example appears to have been published. The Wanli Emperor is known to have been passionately fond of porcelain wares made in the Xuande (1426-35) and Chenghua (1465-87) reigns; hence a number of copies of these wares, but inscribed with the Wanli Emperor’s reign mark, was produced at the porcelain kilns in Jingdezhen. This vase belongs to this group and closely follows Xuande prototypes; see a Xuande mark and period vase in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Gugong bowuyuan cang. Ming chu qinghua ci [Early Ming blue and white porcelain in the Palace Museum], Beijing, 2002, vol. 1, pl. 82; another in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, included in the Museum’s Special Exhibition of Hsuan-Te Wares, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1980, cat. no. 8; and a third illustrated in Sekai toji zenshu/Catalogue of World’s Ceramics, vol. 11, Tokyo, 1955, pl. 70.

Vases of this type were later commissioned by the Yongzheng Emperor (r. 1723-35), a similarly keen collector of Xuande porcelains, who also had it recorded in the pictorial scroll Guwan tu [Scroll of antiques], on the sixth year of his reign (1729), later in the collection of Sir Percival David and now in the British Museum, London, included in the exhibition China. The Three Emperors 1662-1795, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 2006, cat. no. 168.