A blue and white 'chrysanthemum and peony'  bottle vase. Qing dynasty, Kangxi period. Photo Sotheby's

the globular body supported on a tapering wedge-shaped foot and surmounted by a ridged waisted neck flaring at the rim, the exterior painted with dragonflies hovering amongst leafy chrysanthemum and peony branches issuing from rockwork, all below a chevron band at the collar, encircled at the neck with bands of stylised half-lotus blooms and further floral blossoms issuing from rockwork, with a brown-dressed rim; 25.8cm., 10 1/8 in. Estimate 6,000-8,000 GBP. Unsold

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