Lot 1
Decorated with prunus, lingzhi, and insects on the body, a band of ruyi-heads above the foot; the interior decorated with cloud scrolls and characters reading: "Yong Bao Chang Chun" centered by "Fu" within a lobed medallion, underside inscribed with the six character mark "Da Ming Jiajing Nian Zhi".
H: 5 3/4, Dia: 13 in.Provenance: Property from the estate of Roger E. Birch
NOTE: The use of auspicious characters and symbols expressing wishes for long life and immortality was particularly prevalent during the reign of the Jiajing emperor (1521-1567). For other examples see those in the collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in "The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Blue and White Porcelain with Underglazed Red", 2012, vol II, p. 140 and 141, nos. 129, 130 for dishes decorated with flowering prunus, p. 153, 154 nos 142, 143 for bowls with a "Shou" character in the well.