AN EXTREMELY RARE BLUE AND WHITE FOLIATE CUPSTAND YUAN DYNASTY, EARLY-MID 14TH CENTURY

of lobed octafoil form with a flat base and an everted rim, moulded in the centre with a raised eight-petal medallion corresponding to a recessed medallion of conforming shape on the underside, each rounded petal picked out with deep blue hatched lines, surrounded by radiating lappets enclosing trefoil-shaped clouds reserved in white on shaded hatching, and a 'classic' scroll encircling the rim, the exterior left plain, the base unglazed

J.J. Lally & Co., New York.

Regina Krahl, Chinese Ceramics from the Meiyintang Collection, London, 1994-2010, vol. 4, no. 1616.

The rim has a minute 3 mm flake to the underside and a few tiny original chips to the body under the glaze, otherwise the cupstand is in overall good condition.
"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."

This cup stand appears to be unique and no other example appears to be recorded with a raised petal collar or with shaded hatching as here used around the cloud motifs, which successfully conveys the impression of a relief design.

Although a number of Yuan cup stands with different designs are known, hardly any cups have come to light, which might have been used together with such stands. One small cup was apparently found together with a stand among the Yuan remains at Luomaqiao, Jingdezhen; both were included in the exhibition Ceramic Finds from Jingdezhen Kilns (10th-17th Century), Fung Ping Shan Museum, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1992, cat. no. 163.