A large Chinese blue and white cylindrical brushpot

A large Chinese blue and white cylindrical brushpot, with straight sides slightly flared towards the mouth, delicately painted in underglaze blue with a scene from a romance, late Ming dynasty, c.1630-40, extensive damage and restoration, 21.8cm. From the collection of Professor D R Laurence MD. Provenance: purchased from R G McPherson Antiques. Cf. Chinese Porcelains of the 17th century: Landscapes, Scholars' Motifs and Narratives, no.61 for a similar example.