A VERY RARE BLUE AND WHITE REVERSE-DECORATED STEM CUP

A VERY RARE BLUE AND WHITE REVERSE-DECORATED STEM CUP

WANLI SIX-CHARACTER MARK IN UNDERGLAZE BLUE WITHIN A DOUBLE CIRCLE AND OF THE PERIOD (1573-1620)

The stem cup is finely decorated on the exterior with nine mythical sea creatures (haishou), including a winged dragon, a turtle, a lion, a qilin and a celestial horse, all reserved in white and incised in anhua against a ground of crested waves painted in deep tones of cobalt blue. The pedestal foot is encircled by a raised ruyi band above further waves crashing against rocks. The interior is inscribed in lança characters with a nine-character mantra.

3 ¼ in. (8.2 cm.) diam., silk pouch, cloth box