A CHINESE EXPORT BEAKER AND SAUCER circa 1735

painted on the front and reverse of the beaker and in the center of the saucer with a European gentleman bringing a basket of flowers to a seated lady clasping a large sinuous gilt floral spray, the rim with a pink cell diaper border.

The William Martin-Hurst Collection, no. 28 (?)

In good condition. Saucer with Martin Hurst sticker.
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.

On fine Yongzheng period famille-rose porcelains, European figure decoration is considerably rarer than Chinese subjects.  An identical saucer is illustrated by Hervouët and Bruneau, p. 157, no. 7.43, who also illustrate a teapot and a saucer, p. 156, nos. 7.42 and 7.44, respectively, in which the gilt floral spray is either absent or treated as a branch above the figures.  Another identical saucer is illustrated by Lunsingh Scheurleer, pl. 220, who also illustrates in pls. 285 and 287 a teabowl and saucer with this subject but with a different treatment of the gilt floral spray (similar to the aforementioned saucer illustrated by Hervouët and Bruneau), suggesting that the figures themselves were adapted from a European print.  A differently bordered bowl and saucer, also from the Martin-Hurst Collection, are illustrated by Williamson, color pl. XL (top, right and middle, right, respectively); and a covered sugar bowl and saucer dish from that service are illustrated by Jörg 1989, pp. 206 and 207, no. 79.

An interesting variation is illustrated by Kroes, p. 22, pl. XIII, who shows 19 pieces of a tea service, circa 1732-33, in the Groninger Museum, with the arms of Van Ens and Bochoute accollée, and with this figure decoration in subsidiary reserved panels.

The covered tea canister from this service is illustrated by Howard and Ayers, Vol. II, p.  365, no. 356, and was in the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Rafi Y. Mottahedeh, sold in these rooms on October 19, 2000, lot 209; and an identical beaker and saucer were sold at Christie's in Amsterdam on May 12, 1999, lot 406