A rare qiangjin engraved lacquer Brush Pot, 17th century. Photo courtesy Sworders

the mottled red/brown cylindrical body with two gilt-engraved cranes under banana leaves, the reverse with bamboo and hollow rocks, 12cm. Estimated Price: £800 - £1200

The marbled lacquer technique was popular from the Song (960-1279) until the 17th century.

A box lid with a similarly engraved and gilt bird is illustrated in '2000 Years of Chinese Lacquer', OCS of Hong Kong, 1993, pl.100.

Sworders Fine Art Auctionners. Tue 23rd April 2013. http://www.sworder.co.uk