Lot 327. A blue and white 'Phoenix medallion' bottle vase, Ming Dynasty, Jiajing period (1522-1566); 35cm., 13 3/4 in. Estimate 8,000 - 12,000 GBP. Lot sold 11,875 GBP. Photo Sotheby's

the elegant ovoid body rising from a short foot to a tall slender neck with everted rim, painted in reverse around the exterior in rich cobalt-blue tones with four phoenix medallions divided by ruyi clouds and scrolls, all within lappet and ruyi bands at the base and shoulder, the neck with further ruyi scrolls below a chevron band at the rim, the base with four-character seal mark fugui jiaqi (beautiful vessel for the rich and honourable).

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art. London, 07 nov. 2012