China, 1368-1644. Well potted, the ovoid body supported on a short foot and rising to a tapered shoulder and straight neck, freely painted to the exterior with brown pigment above a layer of white slip under a layer of clear glaze, with two shaped cartouches each enclosing a bird amid flowers, divided by stylized floral designs, the neck encircled by floral spirals and foliage. The interior is lined with white slip and covered with a clear glaze, the base left unglazed revealing the reddish buff ware.

Provenance: From the estate of Phillip Allen (1938-2022), who was a widely respected collector and expert of Chinese ceramics and works of art as well as a director of the Oriental Ceramic Society for many years. He co-authored and edited several exhibition catalogues for the OCS and was best known as the cataloguer of the Sir Victor Sassoon collection of Chinese ivories in the British Museum.
Condition: Good condition with minor wear and firing flaws, light surface scratches, a minor hairline to one side with associated old touchups.

Weight: 580.7 g
Dimensions: Height 14 cm

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie's Hong Kong, 12 April 2018, lot 76
Price: HKD 25,000 or approx. EUR 3,300 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A Cizhou painted 'figural' jar, Ming dynasty (1368-1644)
Expert remark: Compare the related form as well as the closely related decoration, manner of painting with similar spiral flowers, and size (13.4 cm).