A set of three black lacquer 'Ear cups', Western Han dynasty. Photo Sotheby's

each of elliptical form, delicately constructed with deep rounded sides supported on a slightly raised oval base, set with a pair of rounded 'ear'-shaped handles, the interior lacquered in pale brown and finely incised with a different mythical animal, two felines and a deer, each with spotted fur and a feathery tail striding among 'C' scrolls within a plain oval border divided by thin hatched lines and further repeated on the edges of the handles; 14 in. 5 1/2 in. Estimation 50,000 — 70,000 HKD

Sotheby's. The Baoyizhai Collection of Chinese Lacquer, Part 1, Hong Kong | 08 avr. 2014 - www.sothebys.com