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

The cup is finely potted with a short straight foot, rising to deep sides and a slightly everted rim. It is finely painted to the exterior with a scene of ducks swimming in a pond amongst lotus flowers and a kingfisher flying above. The reverse bears an inscription in underglaze blue, followed by the seal mark shang, for 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: The decoration of ducks and lotus which can be seen on the present cup represents the sixth month of the Chinese lunar year.

The inscription reads
Gen shi nizhong yu, xincheng luxia zhu, which can be translated as 'The lotus root is like jade emerging from the mud, gathering beads of dew on its heart-shaped leaves.'

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