a pair of 'famille-rose' cups Qing dynasty, 19th century

each of U-shape standing on a short foot, the exterior decorated with an upper and lower band of the bajixiang ('Eight Buddhist Emblems') alternating with shou characters, the central register with a parade of auspicious animals and deities, all above lotus thrones and within mandorlas, the interior decorated with a gilt, red, blue, green and yellow-enameled lotus flower set with the cross-vajra as the heart, an iron-red Baragon Tumed mark to the base (2)

The cups are in good overall condition with some expected wear to the gilding and enamels. One cup with a pinhole to the mouth rim.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The Baragon Tumed mark to the base is, according to Gerald Davison in The Handbook of Marks on Chinese Ceramics, the "Mark of the West Wing of the Tumed Mongolian Banner (applied to a service made to commemorate the marriage of one of the Daoguang Emperor's daughters to a southern Mongolian prince)." It is also found on porcelains of later periods.