Lot 18. A pair of famille-rose 'balsam pear' bowls, Daoguang seal marks and period (1821-1850). Diameter 11.1 and 10.9 cm, 4⅜ and 4¼ in. Estimate: 50,000 - 70,000 GBP GBP. Lot sold 75,000 GBP. Photo Sotheby's.

each with deep rounded sides rising from a short foot to a flared rim, vibrantly enamelled with luscious balsam pears bursting with seeds borne on leafy vines, together with sprays of bamboo and a butterfly fluttering nearby, all continuing over the rim to the interior with a further butterfly, the base inscribed with a six-character seal mark in underglaze blue.