A flambe-glazed vase, fanghu. Seal mark and period of Jiaqing. Photo: Courtesy Sotheby's

based on the archaic bronze form, the body of rectangular section swelling around the middle and tapering at the neck, moulded on each side with a slightly raised circle, the neck flanked by a pair of rectangular lug handles, covered overall in a solferino coloured glaze thinning at the edges and pooling in the furrows, with milky sky-blue drizzling down the shoulders, the base inscribed with the six-character reign mark beneath a brown glaze - 29.3 cm., 11 1/2 in. - Lot Sold: 275,000 HKD

PROVENANCE: A Private Japanese Collection

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art. 08 Oct 08. Hong Kong - www.sothebys.com