A rare blue and white 'lotus and bajixiang' stem bowl Wanli mark and period

the deep rounded sides rising from a tall straight foot to a slightly everted rim, painted around the exterior in rich cobalt-blue tones with the bajixiang within a continuous lotus scroll, all above a lappet and classic scroll band at the lower body and foot, the interior with the six-character mark inscribed within a rectanglular cartouche

Property of a European Collector, acquired in 1972.

Christie's New York, 14th September 2012, lot 1417.

In very good general condition, with only some spotting, glaze pulls and firing imperfections to the interior and a 1.5mm rim frit.
"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 form, design and vertical reign mark of the present bowl have been inspired by vessels made in the Xuande period and combined onto the one piece. With its tall foot, rounded form and charming decoration of the bajixiang placed above a band of scrolling lotus blooms, this bowl follows closely after its Xuande prototype, such as one with a similarly shaped and decorated cover, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, published in Blue-and-White Ware of the Ming Dynasty, bk. II, Hong Kong, 1963, pl. 33. The design continued to be employed on blue and white porcelain in the 18^th century, for example see a Kangxi mark and period bowl in the Palace Museum, Beijing, included in Qing Shunzi Kangxi qinghua ci, Beijing, 2005, pl. 115. A bowl

 

Vertical reign marks inscribed to the interior of vessels are rare and appears to have originated in the Xuande period on short stembowls; see example in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, included in the Special Exhibition of Selected Hsuan-te Imperial Porcelains of the Ming Dynasty, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1998, cat. nos 115 and 116. This vertical Xuande mark is also found on the spout of a teapot, illustrated in Ming chu qinghua ci, vol. 1, Beijing, 2002, pl. 97; and on a fragment of a water-dropper spout, published in Xuande Imperial Porcelain Excavated at Jingdezhen, Taipei, 1998, pl. F8.