A CHINESE EXPORT EGGSHELL HEXAFOIL TEABOWL AND SAUCER circa 1735

each painted with a continuous scene allegorical of 'Liberty and Matrimony' depicting three birds surrounding a couple seated in a fenced garden, the young woman opening the door of a birdcage, and the gentleman holding a blue bird.  The saucer with two small hair cracks and a tiny chip.

Sold, Sotheby's, Monte Carlo, February 13, 1983, lot 276 (set of six teabowls and saucers)

Saucer with short h/c at 6:00, minute chip on edge at 5:00, cup ok.
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.

An identical teabowl and saucer are illustrated by Howard and Ayers, Vol. II, p. 360, no. 349, and was in the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Rafi Y. Mottahedeh, sold in these rooms on October 19, 2000, lot 256.  Another is illustrated by Veiga, p. 183, pl. 158; and a saucer is illustrated by Hervouët and Bruneau, p. 90, no. 4.26, who also illustrate a coffee cup with a slight variation of the scene, p. 90, no. 4.27.  A further identical teabowl was in the collection of Benjamin F. Edwards III, sold at Christie's in New York on January 20, 2004, lot 42.