A BLUE AND WHITE 'HUNDRED BOYS' JAR MARK AND PERIOD OF WANLI

robustly potted, painted overall in inky tones with boys at play in a continuous garden landscape, some playing with toys and props and while others horse around, all amongst pierced rocks and trees, and below a row of ruyi clouds at the sloping shoulders, the short lipped mouth collared by a ruyi border, the base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character reign mark within double circles, stand

Sotheby's Hong Kong, 5th November 1996, lot 751.

There are a few firing cracks, including a stained one just above the base. The rim has a flake of approx. 1 cm. The jar has some burst air bubbles as well as frittings near the pierced rock with flowers. Apart from some kiln grits and surface scratches, the overall condition is quite good.
"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."

The playful subject of one hundred boys (baizi) dates back to the Song dynasty (960-1279) and the depiction of children engaged in games and outdoor activities is symbolic of longevity, prosperity and well-being, as well as the embodiment of adult aspirations. A popular subject during the Ming period, it was employed on an array of porcelain vessels, including boxes, dishes, bowls and jars.

Closely related examples include one sold in these rooms, 15^th November 1988, lot 133; another sold in our New York rooms, 3^rd June 1987, lot 243; and a third example sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 27^th May 2008, lot 1853, and included in the exhibition The Flame of Fire. Imperial Wares of the Jiajing and Wanli Periods, Art Museum and Art Gallery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 2009, cat. no. 59, from the collection of Dr Michael L. Yuen. For a Jiajing marked example, see one in the Shanghai Museum, published in Lu Minghua, Mingdai Guanyao Ciqi, Shanghai, 2007, pl. 3-82; another illustrated in Masahiko Sato, Chinese Ceramics. A Short History, Tokyo, 1981, pl. 254; and a third example sold at Christie's London, 25^th November 1974, lot 235.