CIZHOU-TYPE MEIPING VASE, MING DYNASTY, the sides painted with panels depicting courtiers, a Qilin and a stork, within wide bands of stylised flowerhead scrolls, underside of foot bears an old trade label, 28cm high Note: The vase tells the Jin (265-420 AD) story of Deng Bodao, who was taken prisoner while serving as the governor of Hedong by the rebel leader Shi Le. Following his eventual escape, Bodao, along with his wife, son and nephew, were pursued by the rebel mounted troop. The couple realised they would be unable to remain uncaptured carrying both young boys. Thus in the knowledge that they could have another child, they agreed to abandon their own son, tying him to a tree, in order to continue the bloodline of his late brother.