An unusual cobalt decorated blue-glazed vase, Qing dynasty, 18th century. Photo: Sotheby's

the ovoid body painted with a scene of two birds in a tree growing beside a fantastic rock, the branches of the tree extending up the tall neck and stopping just before the flared mouth, all covered with a transparent blue glaze, the interior and base glazed white, the mouth rim dressed in iron-brown. Height 12 1/2  in., 31.7 cm. Estimation 8,000 - 12,000 USD

Provenance: Collection of Sir H. Grant, circa 1861.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art. New York | 17 sept. 2013 - http://www.sothebys.com