An rare and impressive 'doucai' altar garniture. Qianlong seal marks and period. Photo Sotheby's

comprising of a tripod censer, a pair of gu-vases and a pair of candlesticks; the censer with a globular body supported on three cabriole legs flanked by a pair of upright handles, the gu-vases with a bulging mid-section below a trumpet mouth and above a bell-shaped lower section, the candlesticks with a drip dish of flaring sides supported on a bell-shaped base, each finely painted in bright enamels with beribboned Eight Buddhist Emblems amidst lotus scrolls, accompanied by plantain leaves, lotus lappets and ruyi-head borders, all inscribed with six-character Qianlong seal marks, a pierced enamelled bronze cover; censer: 33cm., 13in.; vases: 27cm., 10 5/8 in.; candlesticks: 27.5cm., 10 3/4 in. Estimate 800,000—1,200,000 GBP. Lot Sold 2,169,250 GBP to an Asian Private.

PROVENANCE: Sotheby's London, 17th December 1980, lot 677.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, 11 May 11, London www.sothebys.com