A doucai dish. Qianlong Seal Mark And Period. Photo Sotheby's

painted in the center with a brightly colored floral spray within a circular double-line border, radiating further floral sprays connected by stylized leafy scrolls, all within a narrow yellow-ground ruyi-head border at the rim, the exterior decorated with four ribbon-tied ruyi scepters. Diameter 6 in., 15.2 cm. Estimate 15,000-25,000 USD

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