An incised yellow-glazed 'dragon' bottle vase. Incised seal mark and period of Jiaqing.

An incised yellow-glazed 'dragon' bottle vase. Incised seal mark and period of Jiaqing. photo courtesy Sotheby's

the globular body rising from a recessed base to a tall slightly waisted neck, finely incised around the exterior with two large scaly five-clawed dragons in mutual pursuit of a flaming pearl, their bodies writhing around the vessel amidst ruyi-head cloud scrolls and above foaming tumultuous waves, all below a ruyi band at the rim and covered overall in a rich egg-yolk yellow glaze, the base incised with six-character seal mark, wood stand; 30 cm., 11 3/4 in. Estimate 700,000—900,000 HKD. Lot Sold 2,420,000 HKD

PROVENANCE: Sotheby's Hong Kong, 29th April 1997, lot 602

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art. 08 Oct 10 Hong Kong www.sothebys.com