A rare yellow hardstone pear-shaped vase, Qianlong

The flattened pear-shaped vase rising to the galleried rim carved with a key-fret border, flanked by a pair of elephant-loop handles, raised on a splayed foot, finely carved with the 'Three Friends of Winter', pine, prunus and bamboo, and a gushing waterfall, below ruyi and lappet borders around the shoulders and neck, the stone of honey-amber tone. 10.8cm (4¼in) high. Sold for £15,360

Provenance: R.H.R.Palmer, collection label no.123
Palmer Inventory no.123, where it is stated that the vase was purchased in May 1935 for £36
By descent to the present owner

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