Lot 3025. A fine and extremely rare miniature lemon yellow-enamelled stem cup, Yongzheng six-character mark in underglaze blue in a line and of the period (1723-1735); 1 5/8 in. (4.2 cm.) high. Estimate HKD 500,000 - HKD 700,000. Price realised HKD 625,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2019

The small stem cup is delicately potted with deep flaring sides rising to a slightly everted rim. Applied to the inside and outside in even glaze of bright lemon tone stopping close to the rim and foot. The base is covered with a clear glaze. The reign mark is inscribed in a line inside the pedestal foot, box.

Note: It is very unusual to find such a small stem cup enamelled in yellow. Other Yongzheng-marked examples of similar form and size, but covered in puce enamel with straight mouth rims, can be found in the collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing, and are illustrated in Qingdai yuyao ciqi, juan 1, vol. II, Beijing, 2005, p. 416, pl. 195. Another example of underglaze blue decorated with ‘Eight Treasures’ and with the same modelling is from the collection of the Nanjing Museum, and is published in Zhongguo Qingdai guanyao ciqi, Shanghai, 2003, p. 172. Compare one further blue and white example sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 30 November 2016, lot 3401.

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, 27 November 2019