A CHINESE EXPORT PEAR-SHAPED MILK JUG, A COVER AND A COFFEE CUP circa 1740

each depicting in half length a blackamoor before a lady and three admirers on a partially unfurled scroll, its pink-diapered end issuing two grisaille tassels, one above the head of a brown-spotted white seated hound, the other below a grisaille bird in flight beneath the gilt floral vine border repeated around the rim of the cover beneath the dog, bird and two floral sprays.  Hair cracks and chips; the cover from the tea canister of this service.

(the milk jug) D. M. & P. Manheim, New York
(the milk jug) The collection of Hazel J. Collins, sold, Christie's, New York, February 2, 1991, lot 95

(the milk jug) San Francisco, Fall Antiques Show, 1995

Jug with crack through lower join of handle and a 3/16" frit/chip on tip of terminal, 3/8 inch shallow chip on the footrim, rim of jug with a 7/8 inch haircrack on rim to either side of the spout, spout with 3mm chip on one side of its edge, slight wear to gilding in the border; cover married, with two 3/16" chips and a 1/8 inch chip on edge, knop worn and has a 3mm frit/chip to tip; Manheim sticker on jug. Coffee cup with 1 3/4-inch haircrack from rim through left side of panel, a series of small restored chips largely on the interior of the rim, handle with small firing splits.
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.

A teabowl and saucer with this decoration is illustrated by Lunsingh Scheurleer, pl. 221, along with the original engraving by Henri Simon Thomassin (1687-1741) after the painting by Jean-Antoine Watteau (1684-1721), pl. 219, shown in mirror image to the decoration on the porcelain.  Another teabowl and saucer from the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Rafi Y. Mottahedeh, sold in these rooms on January 30, 1985, are illustrated by Williamson, pl. XLII (bottom, left); and by Howard and Ayers, Vol. II, p. 370, no. 363, who note that the print is "entitled 'Coquette pour voir galants au rendezvous' ('The coquette meeting her admirers') after a painting by Watteau of which the original is in the Gallery at Gatchina."  They further comment that "a more successful Meissen version of c. 1735 (also in reverse) is illustrated by Ducret," Vol. II, p. 161, fig. 196, along with the print, fig. 198.

Saucers with this subject are illustrated by Beurdeley, p. 181, cat. 138; and Hervouët and Bruneau, p. 169, no. 7.81; and a spoon tray is illustrated by Howard 1994, p. 161, no. 177.  An identical milk jug, but lacking its cover, was sold in these rooms on January 28, 1994, lot 776.