A blue and white bottle vase. Qing dynasty, Kangxi period. Photo: Sotheby's.

the pear-shaped body rising from a spreading foot to a tall waisted neck flaring at the rim, painted in bright cobalt-blue tones with a leaf-shaped panel enclosing a dignitary bestowing a young scholar accompanied by attendants, the reverse with a similar panel enclosing two scholars and an acolyte walking along a river bank with tall trees, all divided by scattered floral sprays, the neck encircled with a stylised ruyi band enclosing prunus flower heads, inscribed with a double-circle at the base; 41.5cm., 16 3/8 in. Estimation  5,000-8,000 GBP. Lot 115 unsold. 

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art. Londres | 16 mai 2012. www.sothebys.com