Lot 228. A blue and white bottle vase, Tongzhi mark and period (1862-1874); 37.4cm., 14 3/4 in. Estimate 8,000 - 12,000 GBP. Lot sold 21,250 GBP. © Sotheby's.

of slightly compressed globular form rising from a splayed foot to a tall waisted neck, well painted in deep tones of cobalt around the body with a large foliate scroll of composite flowers, including lotus, peony, chrysanthemum, camellia and hibiscus, above petal panels and a 'classic' scroll encircling the foot and below a border of pendent ruyi and scrolling flowers around the shoulder, all divided by single or double raised ribs, the neck collared with plantain leaves rising from a border of key-fret, below pendent ruyi and a band of tumultuous waves at the mouth rim, the base inscribed in underglaze-blue with a six-character seal mark.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, London, 14 may 2014