A RARE BLUE AND WHITE 'CRANE' VASE MING DYNASTY, JIAJING PERIOD

the body of pear shape rising from a high spreading foot to a tall elegant waisted neck and flaring rim, painted around the exterior in rich cobalt-blue tones with geese in flight above lotus, all between a classic scroll at the base and foliate bands at the neck, the base with two-character inscription

Sotheby's London, 14th December 1982, lot 181.

This rare bottle vase is in very good condition with the exception of a 3cm., hairline rim crack, a circa 3cm., wide crescent-shaped section of overpianting to flakes at the front of the rim, minor burst glaze bubbles and light glaze scratches around the body. It should be noted that the cobalt-blue is if of a stronger tone than the catalogue illustration would suggest.
"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."

The two-character mark on the base reads sisheng which means 'to meditate'.

The Jiajing Emperor was a devote Daoist and the present vase, with its auspicious imagery of flying cranes, was possibly made as a well-wishing gift for long life and success. Although it is rare to find Jiajing vases of this elegant bottle form, the decorative motif of flying cranes is typical of the Jiajing period and can be seen on vessels of other shapes; for example see a Jiajing mark and period lobed jar painted with cranes and phoenix, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 25th April 2004, lot 297; a cupstand with the design of cranes and clouds included in the Illustrated Catalogue of Tokyo National Museum. Chinese Ceramics II, Tokyo, 1990, cat. no. 105; and a large dish painted with flying cranes and the shou (longevity) character, published in Chinese Ceramics in the Idemitsu Collection, Tokyo, 1987, pl. 706.