A BLUE AND WHITE LOBED 'FIGURES AND LANÇA CHARACTERS' BOWL MING DYNASTY, 15TH CENTURY, INTERREGNUM PERIOD

with steep rounded sides divided into eight bracket foliations supported on short tapered foot, vividly painted in deep 'heaping and piling' cobalt tones, the interior with a scholar seated on a rocky promontory encircled by tumultuous waves, below four lança characters around the cavetto and a frieze of lança characters at the rim, the exterior with a similar scene of a seated scholar and attendant on a rocky outcrop, between a border of crested waves interspersed with cartouches of auspicious emblems and a key-fret band

There is a 6 x 2 cm ' C'-shape chip in two sections restored at the rim with an approx. 4 cm hairline crack extending below and a few pin-prick air bubbles and tiny glaze gaps, but otherwise the overall condition is quite good.
"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."