A Famille verte 'Month' cup, Qing dynasty (1644-1911). Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2014

The cup is delicately potted with a short foot and tall sides, rising to a flared rim. The exterior is finely painted with peony blossoms growing beside a rocky bed and a small insect flying amongst them. The reverse bears an inscription in underglaze blue, followed by the seal mark shang, meaning appreciation. The base with a Kangxi six-character mark in underglaze blue within a double circle. 2 ? in. (5.4 cm.) high. Estimate £15,000 – £20,000 ($25,215 - $33,620)

Provenance: Acquired in France in the 1960's.

Notes: The peony decoration represents the fourth month of the Chinese lunar year.

The inscription reads
'Xiao yan yuan fen jin zhang lu, chun feng shen re yu tang feng', and can be translated as 'The radiant peony is worthy of the Immortals' dew; its fragrance is carried far on the spring breeze from the palatial halls'.

Christie's. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 13 May 2014, London, King Street - http://www.christies.com/