A Rare Gilt-Decorated Blue-Ground Water Pot And Cover. Qianlong Seal Mark In Iron-Red And Of The Period (1736-1795). photo Christie's Ltd 2011

Of compressed quatrelobed section, painted in gilding around the sides with a band of stylized lotus blossoms and scrolling foliage between between borders of C-scrolls and dots below and pendent ruyi heads on the shoulder above, with a band of key fret encircling the neck which is notched to accomodate a ladle, the cover surmounted by a bud-form finial; 3½ in. (9 cm.) across - Estimate $30,000 - $50,000. Price Realized $60,000

Notes: A smaller (5 cm.) Qianlong-marked water pot and cover of similar shape, although in famille rose enamel on a ruby graviata ground, is in the collection of the Palace Museum, and illustrated in Kangxi, Yongzheng, Qianlong, Hong Kong, 1989, p. 370, no. 51.

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