A CHINESE FAHUA GARDEN SEAT MING DYNASTYThe barrel-shaped body with a reticulated middle section moulded with birds, rockwork and flowerheads against a foliate ground, with two lion head-shaped handles, all between two rows of studs, with stylised lotus flowerheads to the top part and stylised waves to the foot, 37.5cm.Provenance: from the collection of N V B Hill and thence by descent. Purchased from Sotheby's London 3rd April 1979. Cf. The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Miscellaneous Enamelled Porcelains, Plain Tricoloured Porcelains, p.280, no.230 for a very closely related garden seat with a similar design dated to the Chenghua period.