A Famille verte 'Month' cup, Qing dynasty (1644-1911). Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2014

The cup is thinly potted with deep tapered sides and a flared rim and is supported on a short straight foot. It is delicately enamelled to the exterior with three red roses growing from a rocky bed and two small insects flying in their midst. The reverse bears an inscription in underglaze blue, followed by the seal mark shang, meaning appreciation. The base with a Kangxi six-character mark in underglaze blue within a double circle. 2 ? in. (5.4 cm.) high. Estimate £15,000 – £20,000 ($25,215 - $33,620)

Provenance: Acquired in France in the 1960's.

Notes: This cup represents the 10th month of the Chinese lunar calendar, which can be identified by the flowering Chinese rose (yuegui).

The inscription reads:
Busui qianzhong jin, dufang yinian hong, which may be translated as 'Unlike the countless blossoms that bloom and then wither, only the rose is perpetually red'.

Christie's. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 13 May 2014, London, King Street - http://www.christies.com/