A pair of blue and white octagonal vases, Kangxi period (1662-1722). Estimate £5,000 – £8,000 ($7,670 - $12,272). Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2015

Each vase is painted to the exterior on each of the eight sides with various flowering branches growing from rocks, including lotus, chrysanthemum, peony and prunus, surrounded by insects and birds. The shoulders are painted with The Eight Daoist Treasures, Babao, below eight floral panels to the neck. 16 ¼ in. (41.2 cm.) high

Provenance: From a private European collection.
Acquired in the 1990s.

Note: A vase of similar form and decoration but in the famille verte palette is illustrated by R. Hobson, Chinese Porcelain & Wedgewood Pottery with Other Works of Ceramic Art, A Record of the Collection in the Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight, formed by the First Viscount Leverhulme, London, 1928, pl. 52.

Christie's. CHINESE CERAMICS, WORKS OF ART AND TEXTILES, 12 May 2015, London, South Kensington