A slip-decorated coffee-glazed bottle vase Ming Dynasty, Wanli period

of pear shape, the lower bulbous body supported on a short foot, rising to a tall cylindrical neck, decorated in white slip with lightly incised details with dragonflies and cranes in flight amongst sprays of flowering lotus blossoms issuing from large lotus leaves and leafy waterweeds on each side, covered overall in an iridescent coffee-brown glaze, the foot left unglazed revealing the white body

There are small spots, pinpricks, areas of kiln grit, and some glaze pulling scattered throughout. There are glaze chips to the rim and a glaze crack of 1 cm on the body of the crane along the cylindrical neck. Larger glaze chips are dispersed along the lower half of the bulbous body. The foot ring with some minor chips, the largest 1/2 inch wide. The vase is in good condition overall.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A pair of similar bottle vases with coffee-colored glaze and white slip decoration are illustrated in Jessica Harrison-Hall, Ming Ceramics in the British Museum, London, 2001, p. 347, nos. 11:188 and 11:189; and another in Arthur Lane, 'Queen Mary II's Porcelain Collection at Hampton Court', Transactions of the Oriental Ceramic Society, vol. 25, 1949-50, pl. 7a. Compare also one sold in these rooms, 7th December 1983, lot 280.