This exceptionally rare vessel relates to a group of blue and white wares, variously described as lamps, vases or candle holders, produced during the Zhengde period (1505-1521), often bearing Islamic inscriptions. Compare a Zhengde mark and period vase from the Wu Lai-Hsi collection, sold in our London rooms, 26th May 1937, lot 65 and published in Sir Harry Garner, Oriental Blue and White, London, 1954, pl. 43C; illustrated alongside another of hexagonal form, in the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which was also shown on the front cover of the exhibition catalogue Ming Blue-and-White, The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, 1950, cat. no. 120.