Lot 436. An ormolu-mounted wucai 'Dragon' bottle vase, Ming dynasty, Wanli period (1573-1620); 35.5 cm, 14 in. Estimate 100,000 — 150,000 HKD. Lot sold 462,500 HKD. Photo: Sotheby's

of pear shape with a truncated neck, painted with writhing five-clawed dragons amid meandering floral scrolls and auspicious emblems, the foot and rim with gilt-bronze mounts.

Provenance: Christie's London, 10th June 1996, lot 89.