A Cizhou type black glazed stoneware jar with russet decoration. Jin Dynasty

Its waisted neck, wide shoulder and body of compressed globular form covered with a black glaze layer and painted in lighter colored iron oxide with two stylized birds in flight, the black glaze also filling the deeply recessed foot. 7in (18cm) high. Estimate: $2,500 - 4,000

Provenance: Sotheby's New York, Sale 5251, December 4, 1984, Lot 241

Bonhams. Fine Asian Works of Art, 29 Jun 2009. 220 San Bruno Avenue, San Francisco www.bonhams.com