A small blue and white stem cup, Late Ming dynasty, circa 1630-1640. Estimate $3,000 – $5,000. Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2015

The cup is decorated on the exterior with scholars seated in a landscape between a band of ruyi heads below the mouth and a chevron band between lappets on the stem, and scattered flowers on the foot. The flat base is unglazed. 3 ½ in. (8.9 cm.) high

Provenance:  Blitz Antiek, Amsterdam, 1987.
Collection of Julia and John Curtis.

Notes:A similar stem cup is illustrated by Richard S. Kilburn, Transitional Wares and their Forerunners, Oriental Ceramic Society of Hong Kong, 1981, p. 98, no. 37.

Christie's. AN ERA OF INSPIRATION: 17TH-CENTURY CHINESE PORCELAINS FROM THE COLLECTION OF JULIA AND JOHN CURTIS, 16 March 2015, New York, Rockefeller Plaza.