Lot 495. A pair of blue and white bowls, Qianlong seal marks and period (1736-1795); 18.4cm., 7 1/4 in. Estimate 15,000 - 20,000 GBP. Lot sold 27,500 GBP. Photo Sotheby's 

each with deep rounded sides rising from a short foot to a gently flaring rim, the exterior painted with four ruyi-bordered roundels enclosing stylised characters reading Wanshou wujiang (Boundless long life), interspersed with lotus sprays supporting beribboned bajixiang, the rim with a classic scroll and the foot with a lappet band, the interior with a shou character medallion encircled by thebajixiang, inscribed with a six-character Qianlong seal mark to the base.

Provenance: A Swiss Private Collection.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, London, 7 November 2012