A Chinese famille-noire square vase, 19th century. Estimate 1,000 — 2,000 GBP. Photo: Sotheby's.

the tapering sides divided into four facets, variously decorated with birds in a lotus pond, pheasant and peonies, birds on prunus, and cicada with chrysanthemum, the shoulder decorated with four lingzhi sprays at the corners, below a waisted nek with gnarled trees and rockwork, all reserved against a rich black ground - 63.3cm., 24 7/8 in.

Sotheby's. BERNHEIMER Day Sale, London, 25 Nov 2015, 10:00 AM