





Vase with immortals bearing the character for longevity (shou), Ming dynasty (1368–1644), Wanli period (1573–1620)
China
Porcelain painted in underglaze blue
China
Porcelain painted in underglaze blue
H. 21 1/4 in. (54 cm), Diam. 9 in. (22.9 cm), Diam. of rim 3 3/8 in. (8.6 cm), Diam. of foot 6 in. (15.2 cm)
Rogers Fund, 1916 (16.61)
In four places around the body of this vase, an immortal proffers a roundel containing the Chinese character for longevity (shou). The neck bears an inscription of a customary auspicious four-character phrase, wan shou chang chun, literally, "eternal spring of 10,000 longevities."
This work of art also appears on Connections: Living with Vermeer







