Wang Bu, the son of Wang Xiuging, a popular porcelain painter during the reigns of Tongzhi and Guangxu, began his apprenticeship in Jingdezhen at the age of nine.
Although his career spanned over 60 years and took in various styles and techniques (after the closure of the imperial workshops he made a living painting bird feeders), the artist is particularly well known for his work in underglaze blue. Indeed, by his later years, he had earned the title of qinghua dawang - the king of blue and white.
After competitive online bidding from the UK and overseas on January 3, the 2ft 1in (63cm) high screen painted with a mountainous landscape was knocked down to a Canadian buyer.
Richard Edwards, senior auctioneer and valuer at Addisons, was delighted with the result: "There is a strong market for Chinese works of art but, even so, the appeal of individual objects can sometimes take you by surprise."
The buyer's premium 15%.
