Description

The Thompson catalogue described the subject as one of two similar vases:

'Pair of Vases, with slightly bulging bodies and expanding necks. On one a band of six musicians, with female dancing on a carpet, in the presence of lady of rank seated at a table, with two attendants at her side: round the neck, bamboo leaves and ornamental band: round the foot a running leaf pattern. On the other vase, a mandarin or person of rank, seated at a table in a pavilion surrounded by warriors and attendants, is addressing a sage who, standing in front of a table, is apparently inscribing upon a scroll the words addressed to him: without, a warrior carrying a standard attended by another bearing an offering: round the neck, bamboo leaves and ornamental bands: round the foot running leaf pattern. Mark, Ta Ming Ching-hwa nien chi. A.D. 1465-1468. Height, 10 inches.' 1

This is the second vase described above, showing, at upper left, the mandarin sitting at a table.