A Chinese Export Famille-Rose Teabowl and Saucer Circa 1745

painted with a naked European lady and Harlequin peeking from behind a curtain. Together with a saucer painted with a white-bearded man fondling a young woman circa 1740, and a coffee cup depicting a woman at her toilet, circa 1745. 4 pieces.

The saucer has restoration to a 2 inch by 1 inch C shaped section of the rim at 10 o'clock; a one inch by one inch area appears to be made up. There are two very small rim chips and a minor crack in the center of the saucer. The teabowl has had a large piece broken out on one side and restored back in, and another C shaped 2 inch by 3/4 inch piece restored adjacent to the main area of damage. Saucer with lovers – has two adjacent 2inch by 1 inch C-shaped pieces broken from the rim and restored back in. There is a pinhead rim chip at 11 o’clock and two 1/8 inch patches of flaking to the blue enamel. Coffee cup – There is a 1/4 inch chip to the rim and an adjacent 1/2 inch hairline crack. There is a 1/2 inch chip to the handle.
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 lady and Harlequin is probably an interpretation of 'The Indiscreet Harlequin', which was a popular subject in Meissen porcelain.
A very similar saucer also with a white bearded man and lady from the Khalil Rizk collection sold at Sotheby's New York, April 25, 2008, lot 141.
See also the Mottahedeh Collection, Sotheby's, New York, October 19, 2000, lot 341 for a teabowl and saucer with the same scene as the coffee cup.