A rare set of three large blue and white baluster vases and covers, Kangxi. Photo courtesy Bonhams.

Each painted around the exterior with a fierce and scaly qilin depicted with a stout tail, looking up to a phoenix with a long trailing tail in flight amidst dense clusters of blossoms issuing from leafy branches, all below a ruyi-head border encircling the rim, each domed cover with broad rim, decorated with three cartouches depicting scholar objects, a basket of flowers and floral stems springing from rockwork, surmounted by a bud finial. All about 44cm (17in) high (6). Sold for £25,000 (€29,986)

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