KANGXI SIX-CHARACTER MARK IN UNDERGLAZE BLUE AND OF THE PERIOD (1662-1722)

The shape of this vessel, Guanyin ping, refers to the shape of the vase held by many figures of Guanyin, and said to contain ambrosia or magic elixir. It is also known as liuye zun, 'willow-leaf vase', owing to its elegant form which resembles that of a willow leaf. It is one of the ba da ma or 'Eight Great Numbers', eight specific vessels covered in a peachbloom glaze.

Similar examples are in major institutions worldwide including the Palace Museum, Beijing; the Shanghai Museum; The Metropolitan Museum of Art; the National Palace Museum, Taipei; the Baur Collection, Geneva and the Meiyintang Collection. See, also, the example sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 30 May 2005, lot 1233.