A CHINESE EXPORT 'PEEPING TOM' TEABOWL AND SAUCER circa 1745

painted in rose camaïeu within a gilt-edged oval panel on the front and reverse of the teabowl or a central roundel in the saucer with a youth peeking through a window at an amorous couple at a table beneath a drapery, the sides of the teabowl with pairs of cornucopias repeated as an element in the strapwork, foliate-scroll and scalework panel border on the saucer.  Tiny chips, and hair cracks.

Teabowl with wear to gilding on the edge, two 1mm chips each over a panel with one issuing a 7/8 inch haircrack, 1mm chip to side of rim, 1 1/8 inch haircrack through center of one panel, saucer with 3/4" haircrack at 12 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.

A milk jug similarly decorated and illustrated by Hervouët and Bruneau, p. 173, no. 7.95, was in the collection of François Hervouët, sold at Sotheby's in Monte Carlo on June 22, 1987, lot 1616; and subsequently was in the collection of Angelo Castelo Branco Cerqueira Caldas, sold at Sotheby's in London on May 8, 1990, lot 139.