This pair of Qing vases, right, caught the eye of Hertfordshire auctioneer Richard Kluk when valuing jewellery at a London home.
However, as they appeared to be without any marks, he took the widely used cautious line of an illustration and only a brief description in the catalogue of his sale at Bushey Auctions (16% buyer’s premium): ‘A pair of Chinese blue and white vases, hexagonal form decorated with flowers and leaves, 52cm [20½in]. Estimate £400-£600.’