A small blue and white 'Qilin' ewer, Ming Dynasty, 16th century. Estimate $10,000 – $12,000. Unsold . Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2015

The ewer is painted in cobalt of inky-blue tones with a bud-shaped cartouche on each side of the pear-shaped body, each depicting a qilin pursuing a flaming pearl, one raising its head while the other turns its head over its back. The neck is decorated with upright plantain leaves above ribbon-tied lozenges. The handle is painted with further lozenges, which are repeated on the handle, and the spout is decorated with fire scrolls. 7 ¼ in. (18.4 cm.) high, Japanese wood box

Provenance: Mayuyama Ltd., Tokyo, acquired prior to the 1990s.

Christie's. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 15 - 16 March 2015, New York, Rockefeller Plaza