A doucai chicken cup, early 20th century

painted to the exterior with the scene of Jia Chang stamping his left foot to call the chickens in a setting of blue rocks and peonies, the reverse with a long poetic inscription, Qianlong seal mark to base -- 3in. (8.2cm.) diam. Est. £600 - £1,000 - Price Realised £46,850 (?!!!)

Christie's. Chinese Ceramics, Works of Art & Textiles. 15 May 2009. London, South Kensington www.christies.com