Lot 3. A small doucai 'Dragon' waterpot, Yongzheng mark and period (1723-1735), 4.5 cm, 1 3/4  in. Estimate 10,000 — 15,000 GBP. Lot sold 68,750 GBP. Photo: Sotheby's.

the compressed globular body vibrantly painted with a pair of sinuous five-clawed dragons, one in underglaze blue and one in iron-red, in pursuit of 'flaming pearls' amongst scrolling clouds, all between a band of multi-coloured lotus petals at the shoulders and rolling green crested waves divided by blue craggy rocks encircling the countersunk base, the base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character mark.

Provenance: Collection of P.J. Donnelly, pre-1970s, by repute. 

Note: Waterpots of this charming form and painted with dragons in the doucai palette include one sold in our London rooms, 12th May 1983, lot 215, and again at Christie’s London, 10th April 1984, lot 262; another sold at Christie’s London, 4th November 2008, lot 219; and a slightly larger one with cover, painted with a keyfret border under the mouth, illustrated in John Ayers, The Baur Collection, Geneva, 1974, vol. 4, pl. A572. 

A very fine and rare small doucai brushwasher, underglaze blue Yongzheng six-character mark within a double circle and of the period (1723-1735). Sold for 85,250 GBP at Christie’s London, 4th November 2008, lot 219. © Christie's Images Ltd 2008