Lot 3660. A white-glazed carved 'mallow' cup and saucer, marks and period of Yongzheng (1723-1735). Estimate 300,000 — 400,000 HKD. Lot sold 375,000 HKD. Photo Sotheby's.

Note: Finely potted with fluently incised petals, the present lustrously glazed cup and saucer demonstrate the daintiness of Yongzheng porcelain. A similar white-glazed cup was sold together with a saucer in our rooms, 23rd October 2005, lot 515. Mallow-shaped wares appeared as early as in the Song dynasty, when the sublime of plain lacquered foliate dishes was highly admired. The love of this simple yet elegant form was also found in later dynasties.

Sotheby's. Important Chinese Art, Hong Kong, 03 Oct 2017