A set of four  Chinese Export Court Lady candleholders. Qianlong period. photo: Christie's Images Ltd., 2012

The ladies standing in pairs, each with a lotus bud-form candleholder held to left or right, their colorful robes topped with pink skirts and over their shoulders short peacock feather capes; 11½ in. (29.2 cm.) high (4). Estimate $15,000 - $25,000

Notes: Elegant court ladies holding vases are found in several sizes, with varied famille rose decoration, and were clearly amongst the more desirable forms of upmarket 18th century Chinese export porcelain (see lot 88). But they are usually found in pairs; a set of four is very rare. 

Christie's. Chinese Export Art. 23 January 2012. New York, Rockefeller Plaza www.christies.com