of square section, supported on a splayed foot rising to a bulging mid-section below a broad everted rim, the exterior painted with square panels each enclosing a scholar beneath a tree, divided on the canted corners by sprays of lotus and between lingzhi sprays, the neck with a striding five-clawed dragon chasing a 'flaming pearl' amidst scrolling clouds and flame scrolls, all above a key-fret band at the base, the interior with sprays of lingzhi crowned by trefoil leaves, the base inscribed with a six-character reign mark within double squares

This vase is in general good condition, with fritting to the rim, and glaze flakes in various areas particularly to the rim and extremities. There are slight surface scratches, and minor firing imperfections including firing lines at the base, and burst bubbles and iron spots.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A vase of this type, in the Idemitsu Museum of Art, Tokyo, is illustrated in Tôji taikei, vol. 43, Tokyo, 1960, pl. 85; a fractionally smaller example, painted with sinuously writhing dragon and phoenix on the neck, from the Tsui Art Foundation, illustrated in  Mayuyama, Seventy Years, vol. 1, Tokyo, 1976, pl. 928, was sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 10^th April 2006, lot 1778 and again at Christie’s Hong Kong, 31^st May 2010, lot 1991; and a third example, from the Edward T. Chow collection was sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 19th May 1981, lot 434, and later included in The Leshantang Collection of Chinese Porcelain, Taipei, 2005, pl. 23. Blue and white decorated versions were also produced; see one sold twice at Christie’s London, 15^th December 1980, lot 124, and again, 10^th April 1984, lot 515; and another sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 5^th October 2016, lot 111.