A Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Bottle Vase, bearing six character mark of Yongzheng, but probably Daoguang, painted in "heap and pile" technique with two five-clawed dragons writhing amongst scrolling peony blossoms, a narrow crashing wave band to the rim, the foot with eight quatrelobed florets, 39.2cm high

This vase is decorated in the "heap and pile" effect characteristic of earlier Ming Dynasty period pieces. The effect is achieved by hand-painted "dots" which result in a higher concentration of cobalt pigment. This vase clearly shows these almost "black" spots, particularly noticeable on the edges of the flowers and leaves. The vase exhibits an extraordinary control of the cobalt blue which is exceptionally finely painted throughout.