A blue and white 'dragon' jardinière, Qianlong seal mark and of the period. Photo courtesy Bonhams.

The well-potted domed body with deep rounded sides rising from a slightly recessed base, the exterior painted in vibrant and rich cobalt-blue tone with two sinuous and ferocious five-clawed dragons writhing amidst undulating cloud scrolls, all above intricately-decorated swirling crested waves. 21.6cm (8½in) diam. Sold for £47,500 (€56,974)

Provenance: an English private collection

For a very similar jardinière in the Nanjing Museum, see Treasures in the Royalty: The Official Kiln Porcelain of the Chinese Qing Dynasty, Shanghai, 2003, p.274.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE ART. London, New Bond Street. 7 Nov 2013 - www.bonhams.com