An unusual blue and white 'monk's cap' ewer and cover, 18th century. photo Christie's Ltd 2011

The well-potted, globular body painted with a continuous scene of figures amidst pavilions in a river landscape, with a tapering, curved spout which projects from the galleried rim of 'monk's cap' outline painted with floral sprays, the peak of the rim rising above a small lug on the interior and beside the curved strap handle molded with a median ridge and painted with further small floral sprays before terminating in a ruyi head, the domed cover of conforming shape painted in similar fashion beneath the knop finial; 9 in. (22.8 cm.) high - Estimate $20,000 - $30,000. Price Realized $60,000

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