Two white-glazed anhua-decorated stem cups. Yuan/Ming dynasty, 14th-16th century. Image Christie's Ltd 2009

The smaller with deep rounded sides rising to a slightly everted rim, and decorated in relief on the interior with a dragon pursuing a flaming pearl amidst clouds, all under a blue-tinted white glaze; the larger with broad bowl, the interior decorated in relief with the bajixiang (Eight Buddhist Emblems) below the rim, all under a white glaze. 4 3/8 and 5 7/8 in. (11.2 and 15 cm.) diam. (2) Est. $3,000 - $5,000

Provenance : Small cup: C. Edward Wells, Bridgewater, Connecticut, 1963.
Large cup: Ruth Dreyfus Collection, 1970.

Exhibited : Small cup: Columbia University, New York, February 1965.
Inaugural Exhibition, The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Art Gallery, Columbia University, New York, 4 April 1986.
Large cup: 3500 Years of Chinese Art: Ceramics from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, Israel Museum, Jerusalem, 1987.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art Including Property from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections. 14 September 2009. New York, Rockefeller Plaza www.christies.com