A safavid blue and white pottery tulip vase, Persia, 17th century. Photo Sotheby's

of baluster form with a central everted mouth surrounded by five small subsidiary spouts, all mounted with metal covers and engraved with figures inside roundels and alternating floral stems, the body decorated in underglaze cobalt blue with black outlines, featuring a river landscape with bushy rocks, clouds, ducks and birds, scrolling arabesque designs to neck and foot, the reverse of base with pseudo-Chinese reign mark. 33cm. Estimate 7,000-10,000 GBP. Unsold

Sotheby's. Arts of the Islamic World. London | 25 Apr 2012 www.sothebys.com