An unusual blue and white and enamelled bowl, Kangxi period (1662-1722). Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2014.

The bowl is of deep rounded form supported by a short slightly tapering foot. The exterior is decorated with a group of mandarin ducks on a lotus pond with various flowers and reeds, above a band of classic scroll to the foot. The interior has a dragon roundel. The base has an apocryphal Longqing six-character mark within double-circles. 9 ? in. (23.2 cm.) diam. Estimate £6,000 – £9,000 ($10,074 - $15,111)

Christie's. THE C. PHILIP CARDEIRO COLLECTION OF CHINESE ART, 13 May 2014. London, King Street - www.christies.com