A wucai baluster vase. Shunzhi

Painted with a large phoenix perched on rockwork, with two other smaller birds above, one in flight and another perched on a branch, with flowering peonies and chrysanthemums emerging from rocks, all on a red diaper ground. 37.2cm (14½in) high. Estimate: £2,500 - 3,500

Bonhams. Fine Chinese Art, 14 May 2009. New Bond Street www.bonhams.com (Copyright © 2002-2009 Bonhams 1793 Ltd., Images and Text All Rights Reserved)