A blue and white 'dragon' bowl. Jiajing mark and period. Photo Sotheby's

the exterior freely painted with two scaly dragons pursuing a 'flaming pearl' above a band of overlapping petals encircling the foot, the interior decorated to the center with a writhing dragon in pursuit of a 'flaming pearl', surrounded by auspicious emblems supported on interlocking foliate scrolls. Diameter 6 7/8 in., 17.5 cm. Estimate 10,000-15,000 USD

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art. New York. 14 september 2011 www.sothebys.com