A CHINESE EXPORT TEACUP AND SAUCER circa 1775-85

each painted with a gallant standing beside a rococo table set with a bowl of fruit, and offering another bowl of fruit to his seated sweetheart while her companion looks on, the rim with purple and green floral sprigs alternating with rose sprigs issuing from a border of rococo scrolls.  The saucer with minor chips and a small hair crack.

The Art Exchange, New York

Wear to gilding on rim edge of both pieces, saucer with a starcrack to the center, a 2mm frit at 1 o'clock, a 1mm chip and two 2mm chips at 7 o'clock, one of the 2mm chips issuing a 3/4-inch haircrack, 2mm chip at 3 o'clock and a 1 mm chip at 3:30, minor stacking wear to gold fruitbowl, both with stickers from the Art Exchange.
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.

The print from which the scene was copied has not been identified; however, it can be discerned through small details that the Chinese painter, although decidedly advanced in his depiction of European figures, was quite unfamiliar not only with some of the decorative elements in a European-style room, but how to render them in perspective.  A coffee cup with this decoration is illustrated by Hyde, Silva and Malta, p. 63, pl. XV (top, right), where the subject is entitled 'The Offering.'  The coffee pot from this service is illustrated by Hervouët and Bruneau, p. 144, no. 7.10, and was sold at Sotheby's in Monte Carlo on June 19, 1988, lot 1542.  Another teacup and saucer were sold at Christie's in London on June 14, 1976, lot 200.