Lot 926. A blue and white stemcup with 'lança' characters, Qianlong seal mark and period (1736-1795). Height 3 3/4  in., 9.5 cm. Estimate 5,000 — 7,000 USD. Lot sold 11,875 USD. Courtesy Sotheby's.

supported by a splayed stem foot, the cup with steep sides rising from a flat base to a flared mouth rim, the exterior painted in bright cobalt tones with eight lança characters surrounded by an undulating stem of lotus issuing large flowerheads and curled acanthus leaves, the underside with petal lappets above bands of demi-florets divided by a raised rib picked out with floral sprigs, the stem skirted by ruyi-heads suspending interlinked tassels, the interior with a stylized floral medallion within a double-line border repeated at the rim, the interior of the foot inscribed in underglaze blue with a horizontal six-character seal mark. 

Provenance: Y. K. Ma & Sons Co., Ltd., Hong Kong, 6th April 1981.

Sotheby's.  Important Chinese Art, New York, 11 september 2019