A pair of gilt-decorated blue-ground vases, Guangxu six-character gilt marks and of the period. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2014

Each vase is gilt-decorated on the blue-glazed body with two five-clawed dragons in pursuit of a flaming pearl, amidst flames and stylized clouds, above a band of cresting waves and below a band of shou characters and lotus sprays. The waisted neck is similarly decorated with another dragon below a band of ruyi borders. 15 in. (38.1 cm.) high (2) Estimate $12,000 – $15,000

Notes: Compare the similar Guangxu-marked vase of comparable size sold at Christie's New York, 19 September 2013, lot 1352.
A pair of similar vases, but of slightly smaller size (36.8 cm.), was also sold at Christie's New York, 25 March 2011, lot 1579.
See, also, the Guangxu-marked vase with similar gilt decoration, but on a mirror-black ground, in the National Palace Museum, illustrated by van Oort, Chinese Porcelain of the 19th and 20th Centuries, The Netherlands, 1977, pl. 93.

Christie's. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART. 20 - 21 March 2014, New York, Rockefeller Plaza - www.christies.com