A CHINESE EXPORT MILK JUG AND COVER AND A COFFEE CUP circa 1785

the jug painted in a 'Mandarin palette' and the cup in iron-red monochrome with the same scene of Cupid bearing a torch and a floral wreath and flying amidst floral garlands above an amorous couple in a woodland setting, the cover painted with trees and shrubbery, and the scroll handles with a gilt scroll device or fully gilded.  The jug handle hair cracked, small chips.

(the milk jug) Earle D. Vandekar of Knightsbridge, London

Jug and cover: Crack through lower join of handle and terminal, to right of handle a 1/2" bruise/chip that occurred presumably in enamel firing stage, glaze crack or scratch between boughs of tree to right of scene; cover with minor wear to gilding on rim and knop, 1/2-inch chip under rim at 6:00. Serious wear to gilding of rim edge and handle of coffee cup, handle with a haircrack around its base.
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 'Mandarin palette' tea canister with this decoration within a roundel is illustrated by Hervouët and Bruneau, p. 196, no. 9.7, who also illustrate a saucer fully decorated with the scene in rose camaïeu, no. 9.6, and comment that it was taken from a print by Noël Le Mire (1724-1800) after Charles-Dominique-Joseph Eisen (1720-78), illustrating 'Zélis au Bain' ('Delia Bathing'), a poem by Alexandre Frédéric Jacques Masson, the Marquis de Pezay (1741-77), published in 1763.  A larger rose camaïeu saucer dish is illustrated by Jörg 1997, p. 294, who suggests that it dates from 1765-70, closer to the publication of the Le Mire print in 1763. 

An ovoid tea canister with identical iron-red monochrome decoration is illustrated by Howard and Ayers, Vol. II, p. 362, no. 352, and was in the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Rafi Y. Mottahedeh, sold in these rooms on January 30, 1985, lot 222.  A teapot stand is illustrated by Hyde, Silva and Malta, pl. 4, no. IV, who suggest that the scene is similar to an engraving by Jean Michel "Moreau le Jeune [1741-1814] done to illustrate 'Les Chansons' of La Borde (Paris, de Lormel, 1773)."  A saucer dish with identical iron-red monochrome decoration is illustrated by Litzenburg and Bailey, p. 170, no. 164, and was in the collection of John M. Davis, sold in these rooms on January 18, 1997, lot 1342.  A teabowl and saucer were in the collection of Benjamin F. Edwards III, sold at Christie's in New York on January 20, 2004, lot 278.