Lot 39. A rare white-glazed soft paste archaistic vase, Qianlong seal mark and period (1736-1795); 24.5 cm, 9 3/4  in. Estimate £15,000 — 20,000. Courtesy Sotheby's.

the baluster body rising from a recessed spreading foot to a broad round shoulder anda tall waisted neck set with a pair of elephant-head handles, carved and moulded around the body with a wide band of stylised taotie masks between keyfret bands, a band of stylised lotus lappets around the foot, the neck with a band of stylised archaistic dragons below a ruyi band around the neck, covered overall with a crackled ivory-white glaze, the base incised with a six-character seal mark, wood stand.

Note: Compare a similar vase formerly in the H.O. Havemeyer Collection, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, accession Number 29.100.279.