AN IMPORTANT AND VERY RARE FAHUA DOUBLE-GOURD VASE

AN IMPORTANT AND VERY RARE FAHUA DOUBLE-GOURD VASE
AN IMPORTANT AND VERY RARE FAHUA DOUBLE-GOURD VASE MING DYNASTY, LATE 15TH/EARLY 16TH CENTURY The sturdily potted vase finely decorated to the lower bulb in an appliqué technique with 'The Eight Immortals of the Wine Cup', in pairs or on their own, holding wine cups or leaning on wine jars in a garden setting under pine trees and amidst flowers, between formal lotus lappet borders repeated on the lower section of the upper bulb decorated with a lotus scroll, the waisted neck with a border of trailing clouds, the moulded facial features of the Immortals reserved in the biscuit, the design within raised borders filled with translucent turquoise, white and ochre coloured glazes with copper-red patches to pick out details, all reserved on a ground of vibrant purplish-blue tone 16 in. (40.7 cm.) high, Japanese wood box