Lot 1218. A very rare iron-red-decorated sgraffiato 'dragon' cup and saucer, Qianlong six-character marks in iron red within double squares and of the period (1736-1795), 4 ¾ in. (12 cm.) diam. the saucer; 2 3/5 in. (6 cm.) diam. the cup. Estimate USD 80,000 - USD 120,000. Price realised USD 100,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2017

The cup is decorated with two iron-red five-clawed dragons above foaming waves on a white-enameled sgraffiato ground incised with waves. The saucer has a shou medallion within a raised rim in the center, encircled by two five-clawed dragons on a white-enameled sgraffiato ground and there are two further dragons on the underside, two cloth boxes. 

Note: A similar iron-red and sgraffiato 'dragon' cup and saucer is illustrated in Selected Porcelain of the Flourishing Qing Dynasty, Hong Kong, 1994, pp. 276-77, no. 9, and another cup, lacking a saucer, also in the collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing, is illustrated in Gutao Ciziliao Xuancui, Beijing, 2005, p. 255, no. 225.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 14 - 15 September 2017, New York