A creamy white crackle glazed, soft paste ewer and cover, He, 18th century. Photo Bonhams.

Of archaistic form, the compressed globular body set on three cabriole feet with relief decorated panels, the upright loop handle with stylised beast heads on a stippled ground, the S-shaped spout of similar form, a circular loop handle to the opposing side, the body encircled by two simulated rope twist bands in relief, enclosing incised linear archaistic motifs and bordered by further incised bands of scrolling design, the cover with applied jadeite and possibly coral finial. 18.5cm (7.1/4in) high. Estimate £1,200 - 1,800 (€1,500 - 2,200)

For a similar example, see The Ralph Chait Galleries teapot, illustrated in the September 1984 edition of Apollo.

The covered he form is based on a bronze shape from the Warring States Period. The form is also known in ceramics of the same period, and a proto-celadon example is illustrated in The Jiurutang Collection, no. 97, p.145. The form was reproduced in the Qing Dynasty due to the Imperial Court's predilection for ancient objects.

Bonhams. ASIAN DECORATIVE ARTS. 4 Mar 2014, San Francisco - www.bonhams.com