A Copper-Red-Decorated Bottle Vase, 18th Century. photo Christie's Ltd 2011

With compressed body, painted with two five-clawed dragons, one descending from amidst clouds on the tall, slender neck to contest a flaming pearl with the other dragon striding around the sides, all in copper red of rich crushed-strawberry tone, with double line borders of greyish copper-red color at the mouth rim and encircling the very slightly flared foot; 12 5/8 in. (32 cm.) high, wood stand - Estimate $30,000 - $50,000. Price Realized $134,500

Provenance: Sir William Cornelius Van Horne (1843-1915), and thence by descent within the family.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Part I & II,  15 - 16 September 2011. New York, Rockefeller Plaza. www.christies.com