WANLI PERIOD (1573-1619)

Two blue and white sprinklers of this extremely rare form, one of which is also decorated with three buddhistic lions playing with ribbon-tied brocade balls, are illustrated by R. Krahl in Chinese Ceramics in the Topkapi Saray Museum, Istanbul, vol. II, London, 1986, p. 658, nos. 1021-2, where they are dated mid-16th century. Another example, decorated with lions at play, is in the Victoria and Albert Museum and illustrated by R.L. Hobson, Chinese Pottery and Porcelain, vol. II, New York, 1976, pl. 68, fig. 1. According to Krahl, ibid., p. 658, "a test done with [the Victoria and Albert Museum bottle] showed, that it pours in a slow and steady stream (making a gurgling sound while being filled)."