A CHINESE EXPORT TEABOWL AND SAUCER circa 1735-40

each with an iron-red ground embellished with gilt scrolling lotus and reserved on the front and in the center with a panel painted in grisaille, salmon and gilding with a pensive lady watching a dog from behind a balustrade and being serenaded by a troubadour before a Medieval tower building in the distance, the reverse of the teabowl reserved with the tower building scene.  The teabowl with a small chip; the saucer repaired.

The Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Rafi Y. Mottahedeh, New York, no. 154, sold, Sotheby's, New York, January 30, l985, lot 218

Richmond, The Mottahedeh Collection, 1981-82

David S. Howard and John Ayers, China for the West, Vol. II, p. 361, no. 351

Cup with 2mm chip over left edge of figural panel, both pieces with wear to gilding on rim edge ; saucer with small repaired chip at 9:30 and 1 filled chip at 3:30, 4mm repaired chip at 2:30 issuing a 3/4-inch haircrack; both pieces with Mottahedeh sticker, saucer with VA museum exhibition 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.

An identical saucer is illustrated by Hervouët and Bruneau, p. 188, no. 8.16, who also illustrate a tea canister with a slightly different treatment of the same scene, p. 188, no. 8.17, and note that the architectural view that appears on the saucer is depicted on the reverse of the tea canister.  Another teabowl and saucer from this service were sold at Christie's in Amsterdam on May 31, 1988, lot 205.