Lot 2775. A rare blue and white ewer, seal mark and period of Qianlong (1736-1795); Estimate 800,000 — 1,200,000 HKD. Lot sold 980,000 HKD. © Sotheby's 2010

based on a Persian metal form, the pear-shaped body rising from a short straight foot to tall waisted neck and everted rim, painted in brilliant cobalt-blue tones to the front and back face with a large quatrefoil panel, one enclosing a fruiting peach spray, the other a fruiting loquat, each flanked by leafy composite floral stems, all between lotus-lappet and classic scroll bands at the foot and lotus scroll and stiff leaf bands at the neck, set to one side with a large strap handle surmounted by an eyelet above three moulded bosses simulating metal studs and painted with lingzhi sprays, opposite with an elegant long curved spout secured to the body with a cloud-shaped strut and painted with classic scroll, the base with underglaze blue six-character seal mark.

Provenance: Christie's Hong Kong, 27/28th April 1997, lot 663.