A rare pair of Chinese Imari 'Qilin and Phoenix' baluster vase and cover, Kangxi period, H 61 cmA rare pair of Chinese Imari 'Qilin and Phoenix' baluster vase and cover, each vase with two qilins painted in underglaze blue, each beneath a pair of iron-red and gilt phoenix in flight, surrounded by peony blossoms of leafy branches and large medallions in iron-red and underglaze blue, below large ruyi head-shaped lappets at the shoulder, the ruyi-heads containing floral sprays in iron-red ground, the foot rim with stiff lappets containing upright flowers, the cover each with a pair of phoenix in flight amidst peony and chrysanthemum, with a rounded finial rising to a point and painted with gilt petals atop, Kangxi period, H 61 cmProvenance: from a private collection in Flanders