Lot 1261. A pair of 'mirror-black'-glazed bottle vases, Kangxi period (1662-1722); 17 in. (43.1 cm.) high. Estimate USD 20,000 - USD 30,000. Price realised USD 52,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2013 

Each bottle is well potted with a globular body and a tall, tapered slender neck. Each is covered in a lustrous black glaze that thins to a blue-green tone at the mouth rim, and shows traces of gilt decoration.

Provenance: Estate of Frederic Mueller; Christie's New York, 1 June 1990, lot 223.

Note: The lustrous black glaze that decorates this pair of bottles became known as 'noir mirroir' or 'mirror black' when it became popular in Europe in the 18th century.

A pair of mirror-black bottle vases with traces of gilt decoration was included in the Exhibition of Chinese Art, Berlin, 12 January - 2 April, 1929, p. 329, no. 861. Another similar vase, also with faint traces of gilt designs, is illustrated by J. Ayers in Chinese Ceramics, The Koger Collection, London, 1985, p. 165, no. 137.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, New York, 19 - 20 September 2013