Skip to main content

This auction has ended. View lot details

You may also be interested in

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

A rare and large blue and white beaker vase, Gu Wanli six-character mark and of the period image 1
A rare and large blue and white beaker vase, Gu Wanli six-character mark and of the period image 2
Lot 88

A rare and large blue and white beaker vase, Gu
Wanli six-character mark and of the period

16 May 2019, 10:30 BST
London, New Bond Street

£100,000 - £150,000

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

How to sell

Looking for a similar item?

Our Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.

Find your local specialist

A rare and large blue and white beaker vase, Gu

Wanli six-character mark and of the period
Deftly painted around the central globular body with alternating baskets and bowls containing flowers, the conical lower body with insects in flight amidst flowering plants above a band of prunus blossoms on a wave ground, the tall neck encircled by a wide bow-string band separating a band of composite floral scroll and a band of upright plantain leaves, the rim with a band of classic scroll interrupted by the reign mark written in a rectangular panel. 57.5cm (22 5/8in) high.

Footnotes

明萬曆 青花花卉紋大觚
青花「大明萬曆年製」楷書橫款

Gu vases enjoyed a great popularity during the reign of the Wanli emperor, and were produced in numerous variations of size and decoration. Large vases such as the present example, however, appear to be quite rare. In addition to its exceptionally large size, the present vase is notable for the flowing and naturalistic brushstrokes and the balanced interplay between elegance and archaic stateliness.

A similar blue and white gu vase, Wanli mark and period, of slightly larger size, is illustrated in the Enlightening Elegance. Imperial Porcelain of the Mid to Late Qing Period. The Huanghuaitang Collection, Hong Kong, 2012, pp.388-391. A related wucai gu vase, Wanli, decorated with dragons and peonies, is illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Wucai Doucai, Shanghai, 199, p.37, no.34.

Additional information

Bid now on these items

Mille Miglia eligible 1930 Lancia Dilambda 1st Series Sports Tourer

Chanel: a Lilac Aged Calfskin 'Kelly' Mini Bag Spring 2024

1931 Invicta 4.5-Litre S-Type Low Chassis Sports

2012 Bentley Mulsanne Saloon

The ex-Earls Court Motor Show 1968 Ferrari 365 GT 2+2 Coupé

49 kilometres from new 1989 Ferrari 328 GTS Targa Coupé

Chanel: a Navy Blue Crocodile Camellia Mini Flap Bag 2017-18

Chanel: a Simulated Pearl Necklace and Earring Suite Collection 26, Autumn/Winter 1991

Hermès: a Nata Swift Leather In-and-Out Retourne Kelly 25 Limited Edition, 2022

Hermès: a Shiny Miel Crocodile Sellier Kelly 32 2012

Hermès: a Rose Pourpre Epsom Leather Sellier Kelly 28 2018

Chanel: a Crystal and Simulated Pearl Long Necklace 1990s

Emanuele Pantanella: a Carved Hardwood 'Toucan' Clutch Bag 1990s

Hermès: a Shiny Black Niloticus Crocodile Sellier Kelly 32 1997

Offered from an important overseas collection 1974 Ferrari 365 GT4 Berlinetta Boxer

Hermès: a Bleu Saphir Niloticus Lizard Birkin 25 2018

Hermès: a Bleu Frida Chamkila Chevre Leather Mirror Constance 18 2023

Property of a deceased's estate 1972 De Tomaso Mangusta Coupé