The central design on each side most likely derives from a similar early Ming design, such as that seen on the interior of a Yongle blue and white basin in the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, illustrated by He Li, Chinese Ceramics: A New Comprehensive Survey, 1996, p. 219, no. 398. The shape also is derived from a Yongle blue and white flask, which itself is based on a Near Eastern metal prototype. See the large blue and white flask illustrated by Geng Baochang, Ming Qing Ciqi Jianding, 1993, p. 32, fig. 54.

A Qianlong flask of this pattern is illustrated in Sekai Toji Zenshu, Shogakukan Series, vol. 15, no. 151; one included in the Illustrated Catalogue of Ch'ing Dynasty, pl. 15; one in the Idemitsu Museum, 15th Anniversary Catalogue, 1981, no. 964; in the Ohmler Collection, Catalogue, no. 58; one from the E. T. Chow Collection, illustrated by Beurdeley and Raindre, Qing Porcelain, pl. 154; and another illustrated by Osgood, Blue and White Chinese Porcelain, pl. 48. Other examples were sold in our New York Rooms, The Eugene O. Perkins Collection of Qing Porcelain, 2 June 1989, lot 81; in our London Rooms, 6 December 1993, lot 118; and in these Rooms, 4 November 1996, lot 775.

(US$30,000-45,000)