Lot 312. A yellow-ground altar vessel and cover (dou), Jiaqing seal marks and period (1796-1820). Height 11 1/4  in., 28.6 cm. Estimate 30,000 — 50,000 USD. Lot sold 212,500 USD. Photo: Sotheby's 2015

the deep rounded sides rising to a straight rim supported on a cylindrical column with a domed base surmounted by a conforming domed cover with a globular knop, painted with five bands of pairs of striding dragons contesting a 'flaming pearl' amidst cloud scrolls in pink, green, blue and iron-red enamels on a yellow ground, bordered by a narrow band of waves at the base and key-fret at the rim of the bowl and cover, the interior of the cover and base with seal marks in iron red (2). 

Provenance: Collection of Bertram Izard.

Notes: A similar dou and cover was sold in our London rooms, 2nd December 1997, lot 289 and another sold in these rooms 24th May 1974, lot 459.  Vessels of this form and decoration are known with Qianlong and other 19th century reign marks.  A Qianlong example is included in the exhibition Ch'ing Porcelain from the Wah Kwong Collection, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1973, no. 47. Another Qianlong example was sold in our London rooms, 29th April 1997, lot 692. A Guangxu example was sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 25th May 1979, lot 717.

Sotheby's. Important Chinese Art, New York, 15 sept. 2015