Lot 2162. An iron-red and underglaze blue 'dragon' wine cup and stand, Yuyan Shuwu four-character hall mark in black enamel, Qianlong-Jiaqing period (1736-1820); Cup 1 7/8 (4.7 cm.) diam., stand 4¾ in. (12.2 cm.) diam. Estimate USD 10,000 - USD 15,000. Price Realized USD 23,750. © Christie's Images Ltd 2014. 

The cup is decorated with a pair of iron-red, five-clawed dragons, each in pursuit of a flaming pearl and striding amidst clouds above a small lotus-lappet band. The stand is similarly decorated around a central stylized shou character, and the exterior has a lotus-lappet band.

Note: Yuyan Shuwu, 'The Library of Washing Inkstone', is a hall mark used in the Yongzheng and Qianlong periods. A set of four blue and white and copper-red wine cups with this mark but written in underglaze-blue were sold at Christie's New York, 15-16 September 2011, lot 1529.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, New York, 20 - 21 March 2014