A 'FAMILLE-VERTE' WINECUP AND STAND MARK AND PERIOD OF KANGXI

the winecup delicately potted with deep rounded sides resting on a slightly tapered foot, finely moulded around the sides with two pairs of confronting archaistic scroll dragons between two ribs, flanked at the sides by a pair of scroll dragon handles, covered overall in a pale yellow glaze save for the interior and base glazed white, inscribed on the base with the six-character mark within a double-circle, the stand of rectangular form with canted corners, picked out in green, aubergine and yellow, finely carved with two ferocious five-clawed dragons emerging from rolling waves, the centre inset with a chrysanthemum bloom

Eumorfopoulos Collection.

R.L. Hobson, The George Eumorfopoulos Collection Catalogue, vol. V, London, 1927, pl. LXV, no.E270.  

To the cup, one handle has been restuck and repainted. Otherwise it is in good condition overall. To the stand, there is a small glaze flake to the rim of the tray, approx 0.1 by 0.1cm and another to the corner on the interior, approx 0.3 by 0.4cm, as visible in the catalogue. There is a short hairline crack at the rim of the chrysanthemum bloom on the centre, of approx 1.9cm, as visible in the catalogue. There are a couple tiny nicks to the green waves. Otherwise the stand is in good condition overall. The colours are slightly softer and more vibrant than the catalogue suggests.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The bright shade of yellow, described as 'ginger yellow' in Qing texts, was typical of glazes in the Kangxi period, and can be most often found on table sets and tea sets.  Pieces in this shape, with handles in archaic form were always paired together with tray.  See yellow handled tea cup in the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, illustrated in He Li, Chinese Ceramics, London, 1996, cat.no. 533 and a green-glazed tray in the Beijing Palace Museum, illustrated in Qing Porcelain of the Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong Periods from the Palace Museum Collection, Beijing, 1989, no. 162-4.  The eggshell-thin body is evidence of the incredible skill of the potter.  Another cup with the same pattern with a stand was included in the International Exhibition of Chinese Art, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1935-6, cat.no. 2685.  See also similar single cup sold in these rooms, 5th and 6th November, lot 844.  Also see another cup and saucer with the similar moulded dragons and waves in the Victoria and Albert Museum, illustrated in Rose Kerr, Chinese Ceramics: Porcelain of the Qing Dynasty 1644-1911, London, 1998, pl. 68.