A RARE BLUE AND WHITE JAR FOR THE PORTUGUESE MARKET CIRCA 1610-1630

the hexa-lobed ovoid body rising from a knopped domed foot to a short waisted neck, applied at the shoulder with three cherub head masks above underglaze-blue leafy sprays and divided by floral sprays, all above a simple lotus band at the foot and below a floral band at the neck, together with a Japanese domed and pierced metal cover, Japanese wood box

With the exception of two 1cm chips and minor nibbling to the rim; small patches of flaked glaze to the mask heads, particularly to the noses, foreheads and cheeks; small overall firing and glazing imperfections; and minor scratches to the glaze, this jar is in good condition, as is the cover.
"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 Western decoration of cherub heads and Chinese-style flower sprays show the Ming potters' ability to adopt Western designs into their repertoire. A similar jar can be found in the Franks collection in the British Museum, London, illustrated in Jessica Harrison-Hall, Ming Ceramics, London, 2001, pl. 12:61; and a related piece, where the flower sprays are replaced by emblems of Christ's Passion, Betrayal, Crucifixion and Descent from the Cross, in the collection of the Fundacao Medeiros e Almeida, Lisbon, is illustrated in the museum's catalogue Caminhos da Porcelana. Dinastias Ming e Qing, Lisbon, 1999, p. 160, pl. 14, where it is mentioned that it was made on order for the Portuguese Jesuits.

For further examples of these jars, see two sold in these rooms, 30th June 1964, lot 45, and 12th July 2006, lot 77; and another sold at Christie's London, 4^th June 1973, lot 116.