A blue and white 'Eight Immortals' vase, Kangxi period. Estimate US$ 3,000 - 5,000 (€2,700 - 4,400). Photo Bonhams.

Formed with a flared rim to the trumpet neck and body of inverted pear form spreading outward above the set-in foot, painted with a diamond diaper ground surrounding eight ogival reserves with depictions of the Eight Immortals, the recessed base painted with a double ring and all surfaces except the foot ring covered with glaze. 17 7/8in (45.5cm) high

Note: For a vase of similar size and decoration, see Gugong Bowuyuan Cang Wenwu Zhenpin Quanji 36: Qinghua Youlihong 3 (The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, vol. 36: Blue and White Porcelain with Underglaze Red, book 3), no. 27, p. 33 (45.9cm high). For a second example, also Kangxi period, see S. Marchant & Son,Exhibition of Blue and White - Wan Li to K'ang Hsi, London, 1980, no. 65 (as 46cm high).

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE WORKS OF ART AND PAINTINGS, 23 Jun 2015 10:00 PDT - SAN FRANCISCO