Paire de coupes en porcelaine à décor secret anhua et de la famille verte Chine, Dynastie Qing, époque Yongzheng (1723-1735)

l'une très délicatement peinte au centre d'un lettré sous un arbre accompagné de son serviteur agenouillé le long d'un ruisseau, l'autre d'un lettré méditant à sa fenêtre en contemplant des bambous, les bords agrémentés d'un décor secret de dragons à la poursuite de la perle enflammée, inscriptions et cachets au revers (2)

The dish on the left in the catalogue illustration: There are two ca. 1.5 cm long hairline cracks extending from the rim into the sides, one at between 11 and 12 o'clock, the second at ca. 5 o'clock. There is very light overall wear to the enamel and scattered pin-point imperfections over the sides. The dish on the right in the catalogue illustration: There is a ca. 1.5 cm long hairline crack extending from the rim into the sides. There is very light overall wear to the enamels.
"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."

Both inscriptions on the reverse of the dishes refer to the scenes painted on the other side of the dishes. The inscription on the reverse of the left dish may be translated as 'Ease of reading by the window with [a view of] banana trees' while the inscription on the reverse of the other dish may be translated as 'Washing the inkstone'.

This pair of dishes may be part of a larger set as another pair of very similarly decorated dishes formerly in the Grandidier Collection and now in the Musee Guimet in Paris suggests, collection nos.  G929 and G930. Like the present pair, they are decorated with an anhua design of dragons on the well and with a circular scene in the centre of the dish, complemented by an inscription with one or two seals on the reverse. The Guimet examples are dated to the Hongzhi period (1488-1505) of the Ming dynasty and it is stated that the enamelled designs were added in the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty.