EARLY MING DYNASTY, 15TH CENTURY

The same inscription can be seen carved in relief in panels on a jar of this shape illustrated by J. Ayers, The Baur Collection, Chinese Ceramics, vol. I, London, 1968, A 108. The inscription can also be found on an ovoid jar illustrated by R. Krahl, Chinese Ceramics in the Topkapi Saray Museum, Istanbul, vol. I, London, 1986, p. 371, no. 537; and on a meiping in the Victoria and Albert Museum illustrated by R. Kerr (ed.), Chinese Art and Design: Art Objects in Ritual and Daily Life, New York, 1991, p. 167, no. 73, where the author notes that the inscription may be a trademark.