Lot 1. A very rare cinnabar lacquer 'mallet' vase, early Ming dynasty, 15th century; 6 ¼ in. (16 cm.) high. Estimate £15,000 – £20,000 ($21,225 - $28,300). Price realised GBP 698,500. © Christie's Image Ltd 2016

The body and neck of the vase are densely carved with various floral sprays including peony, chrysanthemum and camellia, below a key-fret border encircling the mouth rim. The dark brown base is incised with a six-character Da Ming Yongle nian zhi mark. 

Provenance: The collection of Mrs M. Legrand (1883-1978), Paris, inherited by the current owner in 1997.

Note: A Yongle mark and period (1403-1424) cinnabar lacquer vase of the same form and with similar design of floral sprays is in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Masterpieces of Chinese Carved Lacquer Ware in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1971, pl. 1.

Christie's. INSPIRED THEMES: A FINE SELECTION OF CHINESE WORKS OF ART, 10 May 2016, London, King Street