A rare cloisonné enamel massager. Late Ming Dynasty

The handle with turquoise-ground lotus scrolls in yellow, red and blue enamel, the revolving head of the massager similarly decorated and fitted with a gilt-metal prong terminating with a pair of dragon heads. 16.6cm (6½in) long. Sold for £14,400

Note: Back massagers were used to promote health and are better known to have been produced in materials such as jade, carnelian, lapis lazuli, agate, aventurine and coral; however, the use of cloisonné enamel is extremely rare. The present lot also stands out for its earlier date of 17th century compared to the more extant examples attributed to the 18th century.

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