A CHINESE EXPORT BEAKER AND SAUCER circa 1740-50

each painted within a Meissen-style gilt scroll-edged quatrefoil panel with two gentlemen conversing near an ecclesiastical building on a river bank with a town on the far bank, the saucer with further figures and a dog on the far bank and a fisherman in the foreground, and the rims edged in gilding.

Sidney L. Moss, London

Beaker with gilding worn on the exterior rim edge, 3mm touched-up chip over center of one panel; saucer with wear to gilding on edge at 3-4 o'clock, minor stacking wear.
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 fluted hexagonal teapot stand from this service was sold at Christie's in Amsterdam on May 15, 1990, lot 135.  The decoration must have been based on a Meissen piece sent to China because other Chinese Export tea wares are known with this scene within differently shaped but similar scroll and 'perlmutter'-edged cartouches and with various subsidiary decoration and borders around the rims.  A teapot with this scene in an almost identical panel but also decorated with Meissen-style indianische Blumen, was in the collection of Angelo Castelo Branco Cerquiera Caldas, sold at Sotheby's in London on May 8, 1990, lot 126.