A powder-blue-glazed and gilt 'dragon' bottle vase. Gilt Guangxu six-character mark and of the period

A powder-blue-glazed and gilt 'dragon' bottle vase. Gilt Guangxu six-character mark and of the period

Finely painted around the exterior with two striding dragons in pursuit of the flaming pearl amidst wispy clouds, above a band of crashing and overlapping waves above the foot, and below a border of lotus blooms borne on leafy scrolls at the shoulder, the slightly-flaring neck with medallions interspersed by wanzi and bats. 38.3cm (15in) high. Sold for £4,800

Bonhams. Fine Chinese Art, 14 May 2009. New Bond Street www.bonhams.com