A GROUP OF CHINESE EXPORT TEAWARES FOR THE AMERICAN MARKET CIRCA 1795

each painted with a ship flying an American flag, comprising: a tea canister and cover, a large coffee cup, two smaller coffee cups, a breakfast teabowl and a teabowl. Together with a Chinese Export plate, later decorated, with a ship flying an American flag. 8 pieces.

Gordon, 1977, p. 131, pl. 118 (the plate)

Plate: in good condition; the blue enamel on the rim has a yellowish oxidization over it in places, and there is considerable scratches in the center of the plate. Rubbing to the gilding of the rim edge. Tea canister: The neck is entirely overpainted and appears under the old restoration to have a section made up. The glaze is speckled in black overall. The ship flies flags painted with between 22 and 9 stars variously. The cover has been broken and restored; the restoration is old and discolored. Breakfast teabowl: There is a v shaped piece 1 by 1 1/2 inch broken out and glued back in, and at least 3 1 1/2 inch haircracks running down from the rim. There is a small rim chip above the ship. It is not possible to count the number of stars on this flag. Teabowl: one half inch and a one inch haircrack to the rim above the ship. There are no stars on the flag. Larger coffee cup: there are two 2 inch haircracks and 2 half inch haircracks and a 3/8 inch enamel flake off the rim border. The enamel on the flag is partly chipped away so the number of stars is unclear. Pair of coffee cups: one has two 2 1/2 inch haircracks extending from the rim and a haircrack to the base of hte handle. The other one has a 2 1/2 inch Y shaped haircrack running down from the rim. There are minor faults and flakes to teh blue enamel borders on both cups, and one flag has 5 stars and one flag has 3 stars on each cup.
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.