A BLUE AND WHITE OCTAGONAL BOTTLE VASE MING DYNASTY, WANLI PERIOD

the pear-shaped octagonal facetted body rising from a splayed foot to a garlic-knopped neck flanked by two mask handles, the body decorated in bright cobalt tones with different floral sprays within borders on each facet, all below a band of lotus sprays within geometric lappets, the neck with two chilongs with bifurcated tails against a diaper ground, the garlic mouth with a composite floral scroll below a keyfret border, the foot similarly decorated with a keyfret band above a lappet border

The vase has been broken into three large segments in the neck and later repaired with associated restoration. There are two horizontal hairline cracks on the neck, one running across the mask handles and the other across the heads of the chilong, with an additional crescent shaped hairline running adjacent to it, signs of filled-in restoration along the cracks is particularly visible in two triangular areas (1 x 0.5cm and 0.8 x 0.2 cm respectively) near the heads of the chilongs. The garlic mouth also shows minor restoration to a horizontal (circa 4cm) crack, a triangular (2.5 x 1 cm) segment has been broken and re-adhered with associated restoration at the mouth rim. There are also other glaze firing imperfections such as burst glaze bubbles.
"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 similar pair of vases in the Museé Nationale Adrian Duboche, Limoges, is illustrated by Christine Shimizu and Laure Chabane, L'Odyssee de la Porcelane Chinoise, Musee National Adrien Dubouche, Limoges, 2004, pl. 22, together with a 12^th century Iranian bronze prototype from the Museé Jacquemert-Andre, Paris.