An Imperial bottle vase with moulded lion handles, bulbous body and slender flaring neck, painted and gilt with shaped panels of Buddhistic lions amongst brocade balls interspersed with panels of mon on T-pattern grounds, the shoulder with a band of butterflies below peony sprays and stylised leaves decorated with kiku heads to the neck -- 9¾in. (24.7cm) high, signed Gassando Hokutei sei, (small chip to rim and to one dragon fin).