A blue-glazed altar vessel. Xianfeng six-character seal mark and of the period

A blue-glazed altar vessel. Xianfeng six-character seal mark and of the period  (1850 -1861). Photo Bonhams

Of archaistic dou form, the semi-spherical rounded bowl bordered by a shallow engraved band towards the rim, also with ten sectioned rectangular enclosure, each with a dotted decoration, all supported on a tall cylindrical splayed and hollow foot, with a frieze of pendant trefoils and triangular work. 16cm high. Sold for HK$24,000

清咸豐 霽藍釉仿古紋豆 模製「大清咸豐年製」篆書款

The Temple of Heaven was constructed from 1406 to 1420 during the reign of the Yongle Emperor. Located southeastern from the Imperial palace, the Daoist temple complex was visited by the Emperor himself for annual prayer ceremonies for good harvest. The other three temples were constructed later during the reign of the Jiajing Emperor: Temple of Sun (east), Temple of Earth (north) and Temple of Moon (west).

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE ART, 25 May 2011 to 26 May 2011, Hong Kong, Island Shangri-La Hotel www.bonhams.com