A PAIR OF BLUE AND WHITE GARDEN SEATS MING DYNASTY, WANLI PERIOD

each of bombe rounded form with a lion mask handle applied to each side at the centre of the body, painted with a wide central band of peacocks amongst peony issuing from rockwork, between two bands of raised bosses, above a band of breaking waves at the base and below a band of shaped cloud collar panels of peony, the upper surface with four Buddhistic lions playing animatedly with brocade balls, around a central pierced roundel in the form of a coin

Christie's New York, 20^th September 2002, lot 318.

These are generally in good condition, except for one has two firing cracks to the base, one of which has an associated hairline crack (19cm). There are three firing cracks to the underside of the top of one and two on the other. There is a 7cm glaze crack to the top of one and a small 1cm hairline to the centre top of the other. The tops of each are rather uneven and there is some pitting and inconsistencies to the body on both. There is numerous small iron spots and glaze scratches to the tops and to the sides of both. There is some slight staining to the luting lines.
"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."

A related seat, in the Shanghai Museum, is illustrated in Wang Qingzheng, Underglaze Blue and Red, Hong Kong, 1993, p. 231, fig. 5, and was included in the exhibition A L'ombre des Pins. Chefs-D'oeuvre D'art Chinois du Musee de Shanghai, Musees D'art et D'histoire, Geneva, 2004, cat. no. 120; and two further examples were sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 17^th May 1988, lot 135, and 17^th November 1975, lot 195.