A massive blue and white 'fish' bowl. Mark and period of Wanli

A massive blue and white 'fish' bowl. Mark and period of Wanli

sturdily potted with deep straight sides tapering to a lipped mouthrim, vividly painted in deep cobalt-blue with an aquatic scene depicting four carp leaping amid flowering lotus plants, arrowhead, pondweed and clover ferns among tadpoles and above splashing waves, inscribed with the six-character mark in a single horizontal line below the rim. 49.3 cm., 19 3/8 in. Estimate 350,000—450,000 HKD

PROVENANCE: Acquired in New York in the 1990s.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art. 08 Apr 09. Hong Kong www.sothebys.com photo courtesy Sotheby's