A blanc-de-chine beaker vase, gu. 18th century. Photo Bonhams

The tall vase with a projecting middle section divided by four flanges enclosing relief-moulded taotie masks and archaistic dragons, all reserved on leiwen ground, all between fluted borders and stiff leaves, surmounted by a tall everted neck and rim and raised on a tall spreading foot supported on a short foot ring, covered with a cream-coloured glaze running over the neck to the interior and stopping short of the foot ring. 44.2cm (17 3/8in) high

Provenance: Rafi Y. Mottahedeh Collection (label)
Purchased from J.J.Lally & Co., New York, on 27 August 1997
The Langsdorf Collection of Qing Dynasty Porcelain, Collection no.185.

Bonhams. Chinese & other Asian Works of Art, 29 Feb 2012, London, Knightsbridge www.bonhams.com