A SET OF EIGHT UNDERGLAZE RED AND BLUE 'BAJIXIANG' WINECUPS MARKS AND PERIOD OF YONGZHENG

each raised on a low foot, with curved sides rising to a straight mouth, the exterior painted in cobalt-blue with a meandering leafy stem bearing eight quatrefoil flower blooms, each supporting a beribboned bajixiang emblem outlined in copper-red, the interior left undecorated, the countersunk base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character reign mark within double circles

The mouthrims of four cups have areas of restoration, ranging from 0.1 to 1.1 cm. One of them also has a 1.5 cm faint hairline crack from rim. Most of the eight winecups also have some minor original firing flaws, including burst air bubbles, kiln grits and body lines.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

These cups are notable for their exquisite bajixiang design outlined in copper red which also provide a stunning contrast with the silhouette forms of the flower blooms on which they rest. A closely related cup was offered in these rooms, 21^st May 1982, lot 795.

The design of these cups derives from Chenghua doucai decorated originals; see two cups included in the Special Exhibition of Ch'eng-hua Porcelain, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1976, cat. no. 38, depicting the bajixiang surmounting a leafy scroll, and cat. no. 39, which portrays the Buddhist emblems raised on canopies issuing from a leafy scroll.