A very fine and rare meiping vase of baluster shape with slender waisted body and rounded shoulders surmounted by a stout flaring neck raised on a ring foot. The body is applied with a pale toffee brown-toned glaze over which a white slip decoration of a bird on a prunus branch is applied. The interior and the recessed base are glazed white. On the base is a four character  kaishu mark in underglaze blue reading Chang ming fu gui, "Long life, riches and honor".
明代 Ming Dynasty, 萬曆 Wanli Period (1573-1619)
Height: 7 3/8"  (18.7cm)
Conditon: Excellent, some surface glaze wear and glaze pulls at neck.
Several related pieces are illustrated in Ming Ceramics in the British Museum, Jessica Harrison-Hall, 2001. pp 347-349.
Please refer to item #MO-629 when inquiring.