A CHINESE EXPORT 'EROTIC' SAUCER circa 1740

painted with Cupid reaching for a bird held aloft by a lady wearing a décolleté robe and seated beneath a tree, the rim with a gilt floral and foliate-scroll border, and the underside painted with a scantily draped amorous couple.  The rim with a hair crack.

Christie's, London, 1984

Good condition other than a 1 inch haircrack at 7 o'clock.
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.

Teawares with "surprise" decoration on the base can be found in combination with a variety of European subjects as primary decoration.  A saucer, for instance, from the W. Martin-Hurst Collection, decorated on the front in grisaille and blue enamel with the scene of Petrus de Wolff, and on the reverse in polychrome enamels with the "surprise" decoration of a scantily clad lady seated in a suggestive position, is illustrated by Palmer, p. 82, fig. 46.