A carved white jade ring-handled vase. 19th Century

Of flattened yenyen type with loose rings hanging from animal headed-loop handles and two deeply undercut chilong climbing around its neck while further dragons crawl along its tall base reticulated as a fantastic rock, the brightly polished matrix marked with some swirling veins of pale grey and a few pin-point black inclusions. 8in (20.5cm) high. Sold for $42,000 (Copyright © 2002-2008 Bonhams 1793 Ltd., Images and Text All Rights Reserved)

Bonhams. Fine Asian Works of Art, 23 Jun 2008. 220 San Bruno Avenue, San Francisco. www.bonhams.com