A blue and white cylindrical vase, rolwagen. Circa 1640

Finely painted around the exterior with two ladies standing amidst rocky outcrops and beneath plantain trees, one holding a bawu and looking at a magnificent phoenix in flight above, with incised borders at the shoulder and foot. 46.9cm (18½in) high. Estimate: £3,000 - 5,000

Footnote: For an extensive discussion about the emergence of these wares, and the possible origin of this otherwise inexplicable name from rotating vases with continuous designs, in Dutch called 'rolvasen', see C.Sheaf, Reflections on Transitional Blue and White, Arts of Asia, Jan/Feb 2009.

Bonham's. Fine Chinese Art, 14 May 2009. New Bond Street www.bonhams.com (Copyright © 2002-2009 Bonhams 1793 Ltd., Images and Text All Rights Reserved)