Lot 3196. A fine blue and white 'Month' cup, Kangxi six-character mark within a double circle and of the period (1662-1722); 2 in. (5.1 cm.) high. Estimate HKD 150,000 - HKD 250,000. Price Realised HKD 800,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2010.

Delicately potted of U-shape with slightly everted mouth rim, finely painted in cobalt-blue of bright tone to depict a blossoming prunus tree growing by a rock with bamboo and narcissus, inscribed on one side with a couplet followed by the sealmark, Shang, 'Appreciation', box and stand.

Note: The present cup is inscribed with a two line verse: Suyan xuening shu; qingxiang fengman zhi, which may be translated as 'Its simple beauty is that of a tree frozen with snow; releasing a clear fragrance as their branches move in the mind'. .  

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, 1 December 2010, Hong Kong