Each vase is decorated with two turquoise-ground gilt-decorated archaistic dragon handles. The bodies are decorated in mirror image with scattered characters from the Wu Shuang Pu, the "Table of Peerless Heroes". Each figure is accompanied with a title and panels shaped as auspicious objects enclosing inscriptions identifying the characters. The rim and the foot are decorated with a floral squared-scroll band.

Note: The descriptive texts on the vase are taken from the woodblock printed manual Wu shuang pu compiled by Jin Gu Liang during the mid-17th century. The manual describes forty unique (and hence peerless) heroes from the Han to Song dynasties.

Compare with a pair of large 'Wu Shuang Pu' vases with dragon borders sold at Christie's South Kensington, 11 November 2015, lot 723. A similar vase with the same border as the current lot, however without handles, was sold at Christie's London, 10 May 2011, lot 320.

A large pair of famille rose 'wu shuang pu' baluster vases, 19th century. Sold at Christie's South Kensington, 11 November 2015, lot 723. © Christie's Images Ltd 2015

A large Canton famille rose baluster vases, 19th century. Sold GBP 5,000 (USD 8,175) at Christie's London, 10 May 2011, lot 320. © Christie's Images Ltd 2011

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics And Works of Art, 9 May 2017, London, King Street