A large blue and white sleeve vase, circa 1640. Photo: Sotheby's.

of tapering cylindrical form rising to gently rounded shoulders and a waisted neck, the exterior painted with a lady holding a small boy in her arms looking up at another young boy astride a dragon in flight amongst swirling clouds, all set within a fenced garden with pierced rocks, plantain and pine, framed above and below with incised double-line bands, the neck encircled with pendent plantain leaves; 44.2cm., 17 3/8 in. Estimation 15,000-20,000 GBP. Lot 108 vendu: 27,500 GBP

PROVENANCE: Christie's London, 7th July 1986, lot 118

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