An unusual pair of famille rose reticulated bowls and covers, Jiaqing six-character seal marks in iron red and of the period (1796-1820). Estimate $6,000 – $8,000. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2015

The bowls and covers are similarly decorated with a reticulated band of bats suspending chimes amidst lotus scrolls between ruyi borders on a yellow ground. The interiors, bases and finials are covered in turquoise enamel. The bowl: 4 ¾ in. (12 cm.) diam., box

Provenance: Edith Root Grant (1878-1962) Collection, Clinton, New York.

Note: Edith Root Grant was the wife of Ulysses S. Grant III (1881-1968), a Major General of the US Army who served in both world wars and was the grandson of US president Ulysses S. Grant. Mrs. Grant’s parents were also prominent in the government; her father Elihu Root was Theodore Roosevelt’s Secretary of State. The Roots owned a country house in Clinton, New York, which is now part of Hamilton College. The present bowls were part of the collection in the Clinton house, and could have been acquired by Edith’s parents, or by the Grants themselves.

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