Nine Small Wucai Wine Cups, Wanli Marks and Period. Photo courtesy Michaan Auctions

Each of ‘ogee’ form with shallow sides, the exterior rim painted with eight lotus flower sprigs, all above elaborate lanterns interspaced with boys and pine trees, the interior floor painted with a front-facing fourclawed dragon within double blue rings, a six-character Wanli mark to the base surrounded by an unglazed foot rim. Diameter: 2 9/16 inches (6.5 cm) each. Estimate: $70,000/90,000. Unsold

Provenance: Acquired in Suzhou prior to 1950, and thence by decent within the family to the present owner.

Michaan's Auctions. Fine Asian Works of Art Auction. Sunday June 23, 2013, 10am. http://www.michaans.com