A CHINESE EXPORT COFFEE CUP AND SAUCER circa 1745

each painted with a dog dancing while a gallant serenades his sweetheart on the violin in a landscape with a town in the distance, the rim with a gilt shell-and-foliate-scroll border, and the cup handle fully gilded.  The saucer with a small chip issuing a hair crack.

Cohen & Pearce, London

Both pieces with gilding to edge worn; cup with firing pits on interior, minor wear to gilding on handle, saucer with wear to gilding on circular band around scene.
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 coffee cup and saucer are illustrated by Litzenburg and Bailey, p. 166, no. 161, who note that the scene depicts a fête gallant in the manner of Jean Antoine Watteau, and compare it to scenes on Meissen porcelain. A lobed tray with the same scene is illustrated by Beurdeley, p. 183, cat. 145; and a coffee cup is illustrated by Veiga, p. 183, pl. 157, and was in the collection of Jorge Getulio Veiga, sold at Sotheby's in London on October 31, 1989, lot 272.  The silver-shape coffee pot from this tea and coffee service was sold at Christie's in London on November 12, 1985, lot 319; and a teacup and saucer were sold at Sotheby's in London on May 11, 1993, lot 78.