Lot 354. A blue and white 'Nine dragon' vase, Qianlong six-character seal mark in underglaze-blue and probably of the period (1736-1795); 14 ? in. (36 cm.) high. Estimate GBP 10,000 - GBP 15,000. Price realised GBP 12,500. © Christie's Image Ltd 2014.

The vase is potted with a bulbous body, rising to a tall cylindrical neck with an everted mouth rim delicately shaped as nine lingzhi-heads, supported on a splayed base. The exterior of the neck and body is finely painted in shades of cobalt blue to depict nine dragons surrounded by lingzhi scrolls, separated by a band of ruyi-heads surrounding the shoulder. 

Note: Compare this lot to a Qianlong vase with the same shape and design in the National Palace Museum in Taipei, illustrated in Porcelain of the National Palace Museum: Blue-and-White Ware of the Ch'ing Dynasty II, Hong Kong, 1968, pp. 40-41, pl. 10. Also see a Qianlong mark and period example sold at Christie's London, 11 July 2006, lot 142.

Christie's. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, London, 13 May 2014.