A blue and white ming-style bottle vase. Qianlong underglaze-blue six-character sealmark and of the period (1736-95)

The globular body brightly painted in rich shades of cobalt blue with large blooms borne on scrolling foliage above a petal lappet band and a classic scroll on the short foot, the shoulder with a further foliate scroll between ruyi and keyfret bands, the neck with upright plaintain leaves and a band of crashing waves just below the mouth rim. 14¼ in. (38 cm.) high. Estimate £15,000 - £25,000 - Price realised £46,850 

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art including Export Art. 12 May 2009. London, King Street www.christies.com