A "Semi-eggshell" Soup Plate, Yongzhen six-character Mark In Underglaze Blue Within A Double Circle And Of The Period (1723-1735)

Delicately painted with a young scholar on a pale pink pony, his attendant following with a book and wrapped qin suspended from a pole, at his sides two elegant ladies, the borders blue enamel, pale green trellis and pink cell diapers with cartouches of fruit and flowers alternating with shou characters. 8½ in. (21.5 cm.) diam. Price Realized  $7,500

Christie's. Chinese Export Porcelain. 21 January 2009. New York, Rockefeller Plaza. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd 2009. www.christies.com