A pair of famille rose 'Bitter melon and Butterflies' bowls, Daoguang six-character seal marks in underglaze blue and of the period (1821-1850). Estimate 25,000 – $35,000 USD. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2015

Each is decorated on the exterior with a flowering bitter melon vine and bamboo that continue over the rim into the interior, the vine bearing two melons on the exterior and two on the interior, two of the melons with the seeds bursting through the pebbled pink and yellow rind, while two butterflies flutter nearby, both inside and out. 4 3/8 in. (11.1 cm.) diam., box

Note: Compare two similar bowls sold at Christie's New York, 15 September 2011, lot 1661, and again at Christie's Hong Kong, 26 November 2014, lot 3327.

Christie's. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 17 - 18 September 2015, New York, Rockefeller Plaza