A blue and white octagonal jar, Guan. Ming Dynasty, Wanli Period. Photo: Sotheby's

painted in purplish cobalt-blue to each face with rectangular panels enclosing birds perched in fruiting and flowering branches, below a band of peony roundels on a diaper ground at the shoulder, with a wide band of lappets at the foot; 30.7cm.,12in. - Estimate 6,000—8,000 GBP. Lot Sold 26,250 GBP

EXHIBITED: Oriental Ceramics Society (according to paper label).

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 10 Nov 10, London www.sothebys.com