A large blue and white 'Four Gentlemens' bowl mark and period of Wanli

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

There is a 1cm firing crack on the base of the interior and a smaller firing flaw on the base near the mark. The rim has two minor glaze flakes and one glaze pull, but otherwise the overall condition is very 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."

Compare a similar bowl  with the same decoration in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collections of Treasures of the Palace Museum, vol. 35, Hong Kong, cat.no. 209.  A related bowl, dated the Mid-Ming period, in the Topkapi Saray Museum, decorated with 'Three Friends' of prunus, pine and bamboo with their roots twisted in the characters of shou (longevity), lu (prosperity), and fu (happiness), is illustrated in Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics in the Topkapi Saray Museum, vol. II, 1986, cat.no. 937.