Lot 20. A brown and black-glazed vase, meiping, Song dynasty (960-1279); 11¾ in. (29.8 cm.) high. Estimate GBP 5,000 - GBP 7,000. Price realised GBP 5,975. © Christie's Images Ltd 2003.

The slightly-ribbed ovoid body with rounded shoulder, short waisted neck and everted mouth, all under an orange-brown glaze with black streaks showing over the horizontal bands, base chip in its making.

Note: A similar meiping vase of the same size and shape from The Art Institute of Chicago, is illustrated by Robert D.Mowry in Hare's Fur, Tortoiseshell, and Partridge Feathers, Harvard, 1996, p. 138, no. 35, where the glazing style is also discussed.

Christie's. Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, including Export Art, London, 11 November 2003