A turquoise-glazed six-sided flaring vase, gu. 18th century, incised Hao ran tang zhi four-character mark. Photo Bonhams

The flat top recessed with an oval aperture, the sides crisply incised with a band of overlapping leaves below the rim, stiff lappets around the waist and long-life symbols above the foot. 10.5cm (4¼in) high. Sold for £5,000

Provenance: an English private collection

Compare an identical flower receptacle, attributed to the Kangxi period, illustrated by Wang Qingzheng in Kangxi Porcelain Wares from the Shanghai Museum Collection, Shanghai, 1998, Catalogue no.248.

Bonhams. Fine Chinese Art, 10 Nov 2011, New Bond Street www.bonhams.com