Lot 328. A rock crystal ‘Scholar’ vase, Qing dynasty, Daoguang period (1821-1850); 8.7cm., 3 ¼ in. Estimate 6,000 — 8,000 GBP. Lot sold 7,500 GBP. © Sotheby's

naturalistically carved in the form of a hollowed bamboo stem, the exterior decorated with a scholar reclining beneath a gnarled prunus tree and bamboo below a flying geese, the base with a square seal reading Xingyouheng Tang (Hall of Constancy), the transparent crystal streaked with milky-white inclusions.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, London, 14 May 2014