A pair of Cantonese hexagonal vases with pierced mythical beast handles, painted and gilt with shaped panels of dignitaries on terraces and birds and butterflies among flowers on dense grounds of further butterflies among fruit and flowersprays, the feet decorated with continuous scenes of ladies playing musical instruments, dignitaries being waited on by attendants and children at play (one cracked and with some restoration to the foot) -- 24½in. high.