- 2579
A FINE AND RARE PAIR OF SMALL COPPER-RED 'NINE DRAGON' CUPS MARKS AND PERIOD OF YONGZHENG
Estimate
1,000,000 - 1,500,000 HKD
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Description
the steep gently curving sides painted in a vibrant underglaze copper-red with characteristic green spotting, of nine five-clawed dragons arranged in two tiers leaping and plunging amongst ruyi-shaped clouds and flames over rolling crested waves around the foot, their faces clenched revealing sharp fangs and eyes glaring towards one another, the base with an underglaze-blue six-character mark within double-squares
Provenance
The Property of a Far Eastern Collector.
Christie's Hong Kong, 23rd March 1993, lot 794.
Christie's Hong Kong, 23rd March 1993, lot 794.
Condition
The well-matched pair is in excellent condition. The underglaze-red has extremely well fired. To one bowl, there are three small ironspots on the interior.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
Only one other pair of cups of this design appears to have been published, but with four-character hall marks, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 23rd March 1993, lot 795. The Qing emperors' predilection for unique objects coupled with the technical expertise of the craftsmen at the Imperial Palace Workshops in Jingdezhen saw a great expansion of decorative motifs, of which the present cups are a good example. The five-clawed dragon is symbolic of the emperor, and the meticulously detailed yet dynamic execution of the creatures on these cups is characteristic of the Yongzheng period.