A blue and white 'Phoenix' box and cover.  Jiajing mark and period. Photo Sotheby's

of ingot shape, the domed cover painted in bright cobalt-blue tones with two phoenix, one male and one female, amidst meandering composite floral scrolls, all encircled by floral sprays and a classic scroll band, the decoration repeated in the box, inscribed to the base with a six-character Jiajing mark  Quantity: 2  - 20.8cm., 8 1/4 in. Estimate 8,000-12,000 GBP. Unsold.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. London | 09 Nov 2011 www.sothebys.com