A  Chinese Export  "Pronk" oval basin, circa 1738.  Photo: Christie's Images Ltd., 2012

Richly enameled with garlands of spring flowers suspended from scrollwork on purple, rose, black and turquoise trellis grounds, a row of scallop shells around the shoulder, the interior with a floral garland and band of iron-red shells above four seated figures of Turkish potentates; 18½ in. (47 cm.) wide. Estimate $25,000 - $35,000

Notes: This pattern, known as 'The Potentate', is one of the rarest amongst the group attributed to the Dutch artist Cornelis Pronk (1691-1759). Though not one of his four official commissions for the V.O.C., "The Potentate' relates closely both in detail and overall concept to "La Dame au Parasol" and "The Doctors". A similar basin from the Doris Duke Collection was sold Christie's New York, 3 June 2004, lot 478.

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