Of barrel-shape with rounded sides, decorated to the exterior with four mythical beasts, including two qilin, between pine trees and jagged rockwork beneath stylised clouds, all between bands of coin diaper around the rim and lotus scrolls around the foot. Wanli six-character mark. Lid mising. Certificate An analysis by Prof. Dr. E. Jägers, dated 30.1.2018, confirms the dating. Dimensions Height 10 cm; diameter 14 cm Medium Button1 Literature Compare a similar jar in the Metropolitan Museum, New York, exhibited in: A selection of Chinese Ceramics from the Adele and Stanley Herzman Collection, 1.6.-26.8.1990, illustrated in S. G. Valenstein, The Herzman Collection of Chinese Ceramics, New York 1992, cat. no. 85, and in the Shanghai Museum, illustrated in Chugoku Toji Zenshu, vol. 21, Kyoto 1981, cat. no. 41 Provenance Private collection, Northern Germany, acquired in the 1920s in the European art market Notes VAT: Margin scheme