Lot 287. A large Ming-style blue and white 'lotus' censer, Qing dynasty, Qianlong period (1736-1795). Height 15 1/8 in., 38.4 cm. Estimate 9,000 — 12,000 USD. Lot sold 10,625 USD. Photo Sotheby's

of globular form, decorated with meandering lotus scroll repeated on the three legs, below a ruyi band on the shoulder interrupted by a pair of pierced, upright handles similarly decorated and with a key-fret border along the edges, encircling the rim and base of the feet, with the temple name Quanshan Si in underglaze red along the rim,  wood stand and cover (3). 

Provenance: Collection of David Yee, Houston, Texas, until 1963.
Collection of George L. Kroll, Houston, Texas from 1963 to 1995 and thence by descent. 

Note: A pair of altar vases with the same pattern and underglaze red mark dated to the Jiaqing period, was sold at Bonhams, London, 11th November 2002, lot 205.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, New York, 11 september 2012