Lot 159. A rare and unusual pair of Chinese export porcelain famille-rose baluster vases and covers, Qing dynasty, circa 1740. Height 24 in. 61 cm. Estimate 80,000-120,000 USD. Lot sold 200,500 USD. Photo Sotheby's 2012

each of inverted pear form, brightly enameled around the body in trompe l'oeil style with a blue and pink brocade sash, tied to secure a basket of flowers suspended from a gnarled walking stick, butterflies, floral medallions and flower stalks, the sash superimposed with a further basket of flowers, floral medallions and flower stalks, the shoulder and cover painted in gilding with grape and morning-glory vines, all surmounted by a lotus bud-finial. 

Note: It is rare to find a pair of vases with this type of decoration. One similar vase sold at Christie's London, June 27, 1977, lot 51.

Sotheby's. Property from the Estate of Brooke Astor. New York, 24 sept. 2012