A rare Ming blue and white oviform jar. Jiajing six-character mark and of the period

A rare Ming blue and white oviform jar. Jiajing six-character mark and of the period

Boldly decorated with the blue cobalt designed as eight medallions depicting a variety of auspicious symbols. 14cm (5½in) high. Estimate: £20,000 - 30,000 Unsold.

Footnote: The genre of small oviform vases, similar in height to the example offered here, appears to have been popular during the reign of The Jiajing Emperor (reigned 1522-1566). For a comparable blue and white example, see 'Ming Ceramics in The British Museum' by Harrison-Hall. For a similar vase, from the Collection of Lord Cunliffe, decorated in red and yellow see 'Ming Pottery and Porcelain' by Soame Jenyns (plate 90B).

Bonhams. Chinese & other Asian Works of Art, 4 Mar 2009. Knightsbridge www.bonhams.com (Copyright © 2002-2009 Bonhams 1793 Ltd)