A blue and white bowl, Daoguang six-character seal mark in underglaze-blue and of the period (1821-1850). Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2014.

The bowl is potted with deep rounded sides rising to a flaring rim, supported on a short foot. The exterior is painted in bright shades of cobalt-blue with sanskrit characters interspersed with leaf-shaped panels of foliage. The interior is similarly decorated, with further sanskrit characters encircling the mouth. 7 ? in. (18.1 cm.) diam. Estimate £8,000 – £12,000 ($13,504 - $20,256)

Notes: See a similarly decorated bowl in the British Museum, illustrated by Sir Harry Garner, Oriental Blue and White, London, 1970, pl. 82B.

Christie's. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 13 May 2014, London, King Street - http://www.christies.com/