Lot 131. A small fine and rare doucai wine cup, Mark and period of Yongzheng (1723-1735). Estimate 50,000 — 70,000 USD. Lot sold 84,000 USD. Photo: Sothebys.

elegantly potted, the exterior delicately painted in cobalt-blue outline and enameled with multi-colored lotus sprays, each supporting a bowl containing an auspicious emblem including rocks, a conch shell, a lotus, and a small cup, all resting upon a recessed base; 2 7/8 in., 7.3 cm.

Note: The design of this bowl is after the famous Ming design of the five sacrificial offerings found on Chenghua doucai cups of very similar shape and size. Compare two doucai cups of this form with sprays of lotus supporting Precious Objects, with Chenghua marks on the base but of the Yongzheng period, included in the National Palace Museum Ming Chenghua ciqi tezhan (Special Exhibition of Ch'eng Hua Porcelain), Taipei, 1976, cat.nos. 52-53, together with the fifteenth century prototype, cat.no. 51. Compare a similar cup with a Yongzheng reign mark and of the period sold in our Hong Kong rooms 31st October 1974, lot 272.  

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art, New York, 31 mars 2005