A CHINESE EXPORT BREAKFAST TEACUP AND SAUCER FROM THE SERVICE MADE FOR MRS. BENJAMIN CHEW CIRCA 1811

each piece painted with a yellow-ground border of Neo-classical figures or objects.

Gordon, 1977, p. 82, pl. 70

There is a 1 1/4 inch hairline crack to the saucer and some minor wear to the gilding on the rim edge and to the star motif in the center. The cup has two 1/4 inch restored chips to the exterior rim and a 1/4 haircrack extending from the rim. The gilding on the rim has been retouched and has oxidized to a darker color. There is a 1/8 inch flake to the enamel ground to the right of the woman's head, visible in the catalogue. The yellow enamel is of a stronger color than show in the catalogue.
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.

For a discussion of the Chew family of Cliveden, Philadephia see Lee, 1984, pp. 44-52, where a group of pieces from this service in the Cliveden Collection are illustrated on p. 48, no. 4. The author also provides an interesting discussion of the different sizes of teacup or teabowl that appear in Chinese export services, and their uses at different times of the day.  Since the publication of the above volume a copy of the the original order for the service has been discovered at Cliveden. Dated June 25, 1811, it shows that the service was ordered by Mrs. Benjamin Chew from her nephew Benjamin Chew Wilcocks and that the original letter included "patterns" (presumably colored drawings showing the shapes and types of decoration desired).