TWO FINE SMALL BLUE AND WHITE STEMCUPS WITH 'LANÇA' CHARACTERS SEAL MARKS AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG

each supported on a splayed hollow stem foot angled to the cup with steep sides rising from a flat base to a flared mouthrim, the exterior painted in pencilled cobalt tones with eight lança characters surrounded by an undulating stem of lotus issuing large flower-heads and curled acanthus leaves, the underside with petal lappets above a ring of key-fret and a raised rib picked out with arrowheads, the stem detailed with ruyi-heads suspending interlinked tassels above a border of upright ruyi encircling the foot, the interior with a stylised peony medallion within a double-line border repeated at the rim, the interior of the foot inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character seal mark written in a horizontal line, wood stands

One cup: Sotheby's Hong Kong, 20th May 1981, lot 747.
The other cup: Sotheby's Hong Kong, 19th May 1982, lot 247.

There is a minute original firing speck to the rim of one, but apart from this both cups are in overall very good condition. The two cups were originally acquired separately and are of differing hues of blue as visible on the catalogue photo.
"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."

A closely related example in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, is illustrated in Blue and White Ware of the Ch’ing Dynasty, bk. II, Hong Kong, 1968, pl. 30; further examples include one sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 27^th October 2003, lot 687; and another sold in these rooms, 2^nd May 2005, lot 653.