A CHINESE EXPORT BEAKER circa 1740-45

painted on the front and reverse with a hound and a wolf near a cottage in a hilly landscape within a rose, iron-red and gilt foliate-scroll- and blossom-edged panel beneath a gilt foliate border around the rim.  Small restored chip.

Sold at Phillips, London, December 12, 1984, lot 254

Gilding on rim edge worn, 3mm shallow restored chip on inner edge of rim above the left edge of one panel; also a narrow 1/2-in. long area of restoration to the outer rim edge above the other panel.
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.

This decoration depicting Aesop's fable of 'The Wolf and Dog' was based on either an illustration by Francis Barlow (1626?-1704) for Aesop's Fables (see the detail for Fable XCVII, p. 195 of the 1687 London edition), or perhaps an illustration by Rev. Samuel Croxall (c. 1683-1752) in his 1722 edition.  A coffee cup and saucer identically decorated are illustrated by Litzenburg and Bailey, p. 182, no. 178; and a covered milk jug is illustrated by Fuchs, p. 119, no. 70.  A coffee cup and saucer painted with this scene within a Meissenesque scroll border are illustrated by Howard and Ayers, Vol. I, p. 342, no. 340, and were in the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Rafi Y. Mottahedeh, sold in these rooms on October 19, 2000.  The scene also appears within the border panels of certain dinner services including one illustrated by Howard 1974, p. 49.