A very rare blue and white and enamelled pear-shaped vase for the 'Islamic market', 16th century. photo Bonhams

The body with two bands of vertical flanges, the tall cylindrical neck applied with six tubular handles, painted around the sides with six circular medallion enclosing Persian-style inscriptions surrounded by ruyi-shaped clouds and interspersed by iron-red florets, all above borders of upright and pendent lappets at the foot, and below narrow bands of classic scroll, pendent lappets and scrolling trellises at the neck. 24.6cm (9¾in) high. Estimate: £10,000 - 15,000, HK$120,000 - 180,000

Footnote: Compare a very similar vase in the Percival David Collection, in the British Museum, illustrated by M.Medley, Illustrated Catalogue of Ming Polychrome Wares, London, 1978, pl.VI, Catalogue no.72.

Another related example, of square form with a six-character Zhengde mark, was sold at Christie's New York, 20 September 2005, lot 1551. Another Zhengde mark and period vase with Persian inscriptions in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, is illustrated by D.Lion-Goldschmidt, La Porcelaine Ming, Fribourg, 1978, p.120, fig.102.

See also a blue and white moulded pear-shaped vase with moulded petals to the body and neck and similar vertical flanges, dated to the 16th century, sold in these rooms on 5 November 2007, lot 189.

Bonhams.  Fine Chinese Art, 13 May 2010. New Bond Street www.bonhams.com