A BLUE AND WHITE CIRCULAR 'ONE HUNDRED BOYS' BOX AND COVER Wanli Mark and Period

of circular form with a domed cover painted with a lively scene of boys at play, each rendered in deep blue outline filled with a wash of lighter blue, a boy dressed as a dignitary seated in front of a screen reading from a book, surrounded by boys bestowing gifts, matching herbs, flying a kite, and drinking tea, the rounded sides of the box and cover with sinuous five-clawed dragons pursuing 'flaming pearls', with a narrow band of the 'Eight Buddhist Emblems', the interior glazed a bluish-white, all supported on a short slightly tapered foot decorated with scrolling foliage (2)

Sotheby's New York, 6th November 1981, lot 270.
Thereafter with the present owner.

The cover is in good condition, with one burst air bubble to the center of the top surface, some minor kiln grit on the right side, a potting flaw under the glaze on the bottom of the scene, and a 1/4 inch glaze chip. The edge of the rounded side with negligible glaze chips, barely noticeable. The rim with two shallow chips, 1/8 inch wide. On the underside, a small firing flaw with five small hairlines emitting from an iron-spot, and a Y-shaped hairline, the largest 1/2 inch long. The box also in good condition, with scattered pinpricks on the interior, and a C-shaped firing flaw. The interior rim with minor glaze chips affecting approximately 3 1/2 inches. Minor glaze chips on the body.
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.

The motif of one hundred boys at play conveys a wish for numerous sons and can be traced to China's earliest literary compilation, the Book of Odes. Wanli boxes of this type are included in several major museum collections, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art; the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford; and the Victoria and Albert Museum. A slightly smaller example, from the T.Y. Chao collection, was sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 19th May 1987, lot 244.