RARE BLUE AND WHITE PORCELAIN STAND, WANLI SIX CHARACTER MARK AND OF THE PERIOD, the circular top supported on five cloud-lappet feet, on a conforming circular base, decorated in delicate tones of underglaze blue with scrolling garlands with lingzhi fungus heads, the apron and feet with fruiting peach trees, each surmounted by birds amongst the branches, divided by a further band of stylised Buddhist emblems, 23cm diam Provenance: Private Collection, UK Literature: • Bartholomew 2006 Terese.T. Bartholomew Hidden Meanings in Chinese Art, San Francisco, 2006, p. 270 • Harrison Hall 2001 Jessica Harrison-Hall, Ming Ceramics in the British Museum, The British Museum. London, 2001, p. 430 fig 13:43 & 13:44 • Hong Kong 2009 The Fame of the Flame, Imperial Ware of the Jiajing and Wanli Periods, Exhibition Catalogue University Museum and Art Gallery & The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 2009, p. 264 nr 103 • Welch 2008 Patricia Welch, Chinese Art: A Guide to Motifs and Visual Imagery, North Clarendon, 2008 p.55