Lot 16. A pair of famille verte 'month' cups, Qianlong six-character seal marks in underglaze blue and of the period (1736-1795); 2 3/8 in. (6 cm.) diam. Estimate GBP 30,000 - GBP 50,000 (USD 40,740 - USD 67,900). Price realised GBP 37,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2018.

Each potted with deep flaring sides, the cups are painted in underglaze-blue and enamels with clusters of narcissi growing beside blue ornamental rocks and roses, emblematic of the eleventh month of the calendar year. 

Provenance: From a private Asian collection
Christie's Hong Kong, 28 November 2006, lot 1549.

Note: This pair of cups was made in imitation of the Kangxi month cups, such as the set of twelve from the Percival David Collection illustrated by Rosemary F. Scott in For The Imperial Court, Qing Porcelain from the Percival David Foundation, London, 1997, p83. A set of twelve Kangxi month cups sold in these Rooms, 18 March 1991, lot 543. A single famille rose month cup with a Qianlong mark and of the period sold at Christies Hong Kong, 26 November 2014, lot 3371. The present Qianlong cups lack the poems that are usually inscribed beside the main decorative side.

Christie's. Rarity and Refinement: Treasures from a Distinguished East Asian Collection, London, 15 May 2018 - SALE 16837