Lot 54. A Ming-style blue and white baluster vase, hu, Daoguang seal mark and of the period (1821-1850). Sold for £22,500 (€28,790). Photo: Bonhams.

Painted in vibrant cobalt-blue tone, the baluster body encircled by two bands, the upper with continuous lotus scroll, the lower with a composite floral scroll, all between slightly raised double-line borders, the shoulder set with animal mask and mock-ring handles, below the waisted flared neck decorated with stiff ruyi-bordered upright plantain leaves and a narrow wave band around the rim, the lower register with a further wave band above a band of pendant petal panels encircling the foot. 24.8cm (9 3/4in) high

Provenance: an English private collection, and thence by descent

Note: Vases of the same shape as the present one are thought to have first been made at Jingdezhen during the Yongzheng reign. A closely related vase, dated to the Daoguang period, is illustrated by Geng Baochang, Ming Qing ciqi jianding, Hong Kong, 1993, p.302, pl.510.

Bonhams. AUCTION 23237: FINE CHINESE ART, LONDON, NEW BOND STREET