A massive pair of Chinese baluster vases and covers, the vases Qianlong, the covers, probably Samson, circa 1890

Vases of this form, scale and decorative style were typical prestige pieces for the imperial kilns at Jingdezhen during the Qianlong period. They are often dubbed 'dragoon vases' or 'soldier vases', apparently after their role in a significant trade with the 'Augustus the Strong', Elector of Saxony and King of Poland from 1694 to 1733. Augustus, who founded the Meissen porcelain factory and at one point described himself as suffering from a maladie de porcelaine , exchanged 600 Saxon dragoon soldiers for 151 pieces of Chinese porcelain, including 18 massive blue-and-white vases.

A similar single example sold at Christie's New York, 23rd January 2001 as lot 58 for $82,250. A related pair of vases from the collection of Esmond Bradley Martin at Knole sold Christie’s Paris, 28 November 2017 as lot 704 for €235,500.