Lot 30. A blue and white 'figural' sleeve vase, Transitional period, mid-17th century; 9 ¾ in. (24.8 cm.) high. Estimate GBP 8,000 - GBP 12,000 (USD 10,360 - USD 15,540). Price realised GBP 35,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2019.

The vase is finely decorated with a continous scene depicting a warrior on horseback holding a halberd and an infant in his arms and another warrior standing by rocks and clouds, all below bands of incised flowers and pendant leaves to the neck.

Property from the Estate of Albert and Leonie Van Daalen, Switzerland.

Provenance: With Ben Janssens Oriental Art, London, 2 June 1999.

Note: The narrative scene on this vase is taken from the 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms', Sanguo Yanyi, depicting the rescue of the infant Liu Shan, son of Liu Bei, by Zhao Yun. Sanguo Yanyi is one of the most popular novels in China and has been regarded as one the of Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. Scenes from these novels were often taken from illustrated books and copied on to porcelain.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, London, 5 November 2019