An ideal marriage of skills, rather than a clash of cultures, put a pair of c.1790-1800 Chinese export vases into the limelight at Hannam’s (20% buyer’s premium) sale at Selborne.
The 10¼in (26cm) tall pale blue porcelain vases (one shown right), with graviata floral decoration, were lifted by superb quality ormolu mounts to base and neck and, in particular, the twin handles formed as entwined serpents.