The early 18th century baluster vase was not a mark-and-period Ming or Qing dynasty piece, examples of which are in such keen demand, but it was in reasonable condition and sported a well-executed underglaze blue and red design of lotus heads on a scrolling foliate ground. Undated in the catalogue, and consigned at £60-100, the 14in (36cm) vase was contested in the room and on the phone before selling to a Chinese dealer at £2000.
Another potential candidate for display at Olympia was a silver-mounted, mother-of-pearl tea caddy, London, 1895. Consigned from a private London clearance and entered with modest pre-sale hopes of £150-250, the 4 1/3in (11cm) caddy sold to the trade at £1100.
From the same estate came a c.1850 miniature of a young lady in a diamond-encrusted frame dating to c.1820 which made £1500.
Overall, the sale totalled £105,000 boasting an 85 per cent take-up by lot.
Top London fairs boost battle for vase
WITH London hosting Asia week, Olympia and Grosvenor House in June, there was always going to be a trade battle for a Chinese vase which proved the sleeper of Charterhouse's (15% buyer's premium) 870-lot May 21 auction.
