A fine jade 'lotus' brush washer. Yuan-Ming Dynasty. Photo Bonhams

Carved from a stone of almost whitish hue with some white and russet inclusions, and designed as a large, deep, lotus leaf, flanked by smaller leaves, pods and flowers. 11cm (4 3/8in) wide; Estimate: £20,000 - 30,000 (HK$ 240,000 - 360,000) (€25,000 - 38,000)

Footnotes: A related example, dated to the Song/Yuan Dynasty, is exhibited in the Victoria and Albert Museum, No. 1623-1882.

Bonhams. 5 Sep 2012 11 a.m. London, Knightsbridge. Chinese & other Asian Works of Art