A rare celadon-glazed relief-decorated baluster vase, Qianlong six-character seal mark in underglaze blue and of the period (1736-1795). Estimate $10,000 – $15,000. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2015

The tapering body is finely decorated in relief with a band of leafy flower scroll bearing four large blossoms between a band of narrow chrysanthemum petals below and a ruyi collar on the rounded shoulder. The tall neck is decorated on each side with a pair of confronted archaistic birds between bow-string borders and repeated on the pair of tubular handles, all below a ruyi band at the flared rim. The vase is covered overall with a glaze of soft sea-green color that thins on the raised decoration and rims. Together with fitted 19th century French ormolu mounts. Vase 13 1/8 in. (33.3 cm.) high

Provenance: Nellie Lisa Bass, Baroness Burton (1873-1931). 
George Evan Michael Baillie, Baron Burton (1894-1952). 
Michael Evan Victor Baillie, Baron Burton (1924-2013) 
Partridge Fine Arts Ltd., London, September 1984.

Exhibited: On loan: Birmingham City Art Gallery, circa 1950-1983.

Note: The pair to the present vase was sold at Christie's New York, 20-21 March 2014, lot 2181.

Christie's. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 17 - 18 September 2015, New York, Rockefeller Plaza