A Chinese blue and white porcelain baluster vase, 18th century. Painted with a balcony, trees and figures, height 28cm, width 16cm,Provenance: From the estates of Albert (Bert) and Winifred Cox. The Coxes moved to Hong Kong in the 1930’s where Albert Cox worked as an electrical engineer. Winifred had a great love of the Chinese decorative arts and acquired a large number of Chinese items with which she decorated their home. When the Japanese invaded Hong Kong in December 1941, the Coxes were moved into separate internment camps. In the women’s camp Winifred met Phylis Louise Ferguson, who was pregnant. Phylis’s husband had been working for the Colonial Service as Dean Of Kings College, Hong Kong. When her baby, Heather Ferguson, was born, Winifred was made Godmother and the two women supported each other through their difficult time in the camp. The occupation of Hong Kong ended in August 1945, the Coxes and the Fergusons were reunited with their spouses and they returned to what was left of their homes. In 1948 the Coxes moved permanently back to the UK, building a house between Poole and Bournemouth and filling it with treasured items bought back from Hong Kong. Heather moved to Scotland in 1950, after having spent some years in America. She kept in regular contact and spent many happy summer holidays with the Coxes. Bert died on the beach he adored, Studland Bay, in 1982, and Winifred lived to 103, dying in 2011. Heather was left various Chinese items as a recognition of their close bond over so many years.