Lot 2237. A fine miniature blue and white 'Birds' vase, Qing dynasty, 18th century; 2 11/16 in. (6.8 cm.) high. Estimate HKD 30,000 - HKD 50,000. Price realised HKD 300,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2012 

The baluster-shaped vase is surmounted by a columnar neck, and painted to the exterior with twenty nine birds amidst flowering plum trees and rocks. There are two further flying birds painted to the interior of the neck near the mouth rim. The base is glazed white, box.

Note: Compare to a pair of Yongzheng-marked blue and white vases of similar size and shape, one decorated with a dragon and the other with a phoenix, sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 14 November 1983, lot 224.