A LARGE FAMILLE-VERTE YEN-YEN VASE QING DYNASTY, 19TH CENTURY

the waisted body rising to a tall trumpet-shaped neck, finely painted with two large cloud shaped panels, each enclosing scenes from 'Journey to the West' featuring the Monkey King and his friends, alternating with fan-shaped and round panels containing birds and flowers and landscapes, repeated on the neck, all reserved against various floral diaper grounds, apocryphal Chenghua mark within double circles in underglaze blue

Sotheby's New York, 22nd September 2006, lot 370.

The rim has been polished. The interior with some burst air bubbles and iron spots. Four firing tears and some wear to the base. There is chattering to the foot rim. The diameter of the body is approximately 13 in. (33 cm).
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.

It is quite rare to find vases illustrating scenes from The Journey to the West. In this epic story, Sun Wukong (the Monkey King), accompanies the Xuanzang, to retrieve Buddhist sutras from Inida. They are joined by Zhu Bajie (Pig) and Sha Wujing (Sand Monk), both of whom are ordered to accompany the priest to atone for their crimes. Some scholars believe he is based upon the legend of Hanuman, the Indian monkey hero from the ancient Ramayana epic.