A blue and white baluster vase, meiping, Wanli

Rising from a recessed base to wide rounded shoulders, short narrow neck and flaring mouth, boldly painted across the central register with two striding dragons in mutual pursuit of a flaming pearl, amidst cloud scrolls and above crashing waves and rocky outcrops, all above a border of stiff pendent lappets, with a band of cartouches enclosing floral motifs and pendent ruyi-heads on a geometric wanzi ground. 31.4cm (12¼in) high. Sold for £4,800

Provenance: a European private collection, circa 1988
J. Abraham Cohen Collection, New York

Bonhams. Fine Chinese Art, 14 May 2009. New Bond Street www.bonhams.com