A pair of 'Famille Noire' Biscuit  Ewers and Covers. Qing dynasty, Kangxi period. Photo Sotheby's

each with a hexagonal baluster body applied with six openwork panels of the Three Friends of Winter including prunus, pine and bamboo, reserved on a black ground above a moulded band of lotus lappets, encircled at the high shoulders with stylised floral scrolls, the neck with ruyi heads and various diaper grounds, set at the sides with a fish handle opposite to a curved facetted spout issuing from a monster mask, the covers decorated with entwined prunus branches in openwork and surmounted by a floret knop, glazed in green, aubergine, iron-red, yellow and black, with wood stands. 6.0. 16cm., 6 1/4 in. Estimate 4,000-6,000 GBP. Lot Sold: 5,000 GBP 

PROVENANCE: Mallie & Co., Paris.

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