A RARE BLUE AND WHITE JAR FOR THE PORTUGUESE MARKET MING DYNASTY, CIRCA 1610-30

the straight-sided octagonal body rising from a tall spreading knopped stem to a short flaring neck and everted rim, applied and painted in rich cobalt-blue tones to the shoulder with four cherub heads above a leafy pendent garland, divided by four images related to the Denial of St. Peter, all above lotus-lappet, floret and lotus scroll bands, the neck with a floral band

The jar has some characteristic fritting to the extremities of the masks, a 1 x 1cm., glaze flake/frit to the lower edge of the body, smaller frits around the lower body and knopped foot, and a frit to the inside of the rim (3 x 2mm.). Otherwise, with the exception of minor glaze firing imperfections and light surface scratches to the interior and exterior, this rare jar is in very good overall condition.
"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."

Jars of this form take their shape from European metal prototypes. The mixture of the Western decorative cherub-head motif with Chinese-style flower sprays reveal the Ming potters' ability to adopt foreign designs to their repertoire to meet the stylistic requirements of international markets. A closely related example was included in the exhibition Caminhos da Porcelana. Dinastias Ming e Qing, Fundacao, Lisbon, 1998, cat. no. 14; another was sold in these rooms, 30^th June 1964, lot 45; and a third example was sold at Christie's London, 4^th June 1973, lot 116.

Compare also a six-lobed jar of similar form, adorned with three cherub heads above leafy sprays and divided by floral sprays, in the British Museum, London, published in Jessica Harrison-Hall, Ming Ceramics in the British Museum, London, 2001, pl. 12:61; one sold in these rooms, 12^th July 2006, lot 77; and another sold at Christie's London, 11^th July 2006, lot 174.

The Christian motifs on the present piece suggest that this jar was made for the Portuguese Jesuits (see ibid., p. 376).