Lot 3325. A rare Dehua model of a flute, late Ming-early Qing dynasty, 17th century. Estimate HK$200,000-300,000 ($26,000-39,000). Unsold. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2016.

The cylindrical flute is modelled in the form of a slender hollow bamboo stalk, with a small triangular notch cut from the top end above two moulded four-clawed dragons encircling a flaming pearl. The shaft is pierced with five holes on one side, the reverse with one, and another two at the lower end, all under an even glaze of milk-white tone. 60.8 cm. (24 in.) long

Provenance: Sold at Bonham’s London, 16 May 2013, lot 19

Notes: For similar xiao but without the detail of the moulded dragon, see two examples illustrated by P.J. Donnelly, Blanc de Chine, New York, 1969, pl. 68A., and another sold at Sotheby’s London, 7 November 2012, lot 36. Compare also a Dehua flute, di in the Robert H. Blumenfield Collection, illustrated in Blanc de Chine: the Great Porcelain of Dehua, New York, 2002, p. 32, pl. B.

Christie's. THE IMPERIAL SALE / IMPORTANT CHINESE CERAMICS & WORKS OF ART, 1 June 2016, Convention Hall