A LARGE BLUE AND WHITE DOUBLE GOURD 'SHOU CHARACTER' VASE MING DYNASTY, JIAJING PERIOD

robustly potted, each face of the lower square section painted with a large central Shou character within a roundel, surrounded by smaller similar characters with cloud scrolls, above a band of breaking waves at the foot, the upper globular section similarly decorated, below a band of ruyi at the neck

This rare double-gourd vase is in good overall condition with the exception of a 2.7cm., rim chip with an associated hairline crack running 11cm down and around the neck, a circa 7cm., long body hairline crack to the waist, the upper globular section has warped during the firing and leans slightly to one side, a firing flaw running along the luting line to the upper part of the lower body, some minor firing imperfections including iron-spot glaze imperfections, glaze pulls, glaze holes and light glaze scratches.
"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."

This impressive vase reflects the Jiajing emperor's fervent devotion to Daoism and his desire to attain immortality. Completely decorated with medallions containing variations of the character for long life, shou, the double gourd is also symbolic of longevity. A related example, but with shou characters surrounding large medallions containing the Daoist God of Long Life Shoulau on the lower body, was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 21^st September 2004, lot 243; and another was sold at Christie's London, 9^th June 1997, lot 67. Compare vases of this type with a round lower section decorated with shou characters and roundels containing roundels of peach trees that form the character shou; such as one in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, illustrated in John Ayers, Far Eastern Ceramics in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1980, pl. 159; another in the Ardebil Shrine, published in John Alexander Pope, Chinese Porcelain from the Ardebil Shrine, Washington, 1956, pl. 86, fig. 29.402; and a third example with peach trees on the upper section and roundels depicting boys at play on the lower, sold in these rooms, 13^th June 1989, lot 227, and again at Christie's Hong Kong, 3^rd November 1996, lot 549.