A Blue and Iron-Red 'Lotus' Wine Cup Seal Mark and Period of Qianlong

finely potted with deep rounded sides rising from a small narrow foot to a gently flared rim, painted in iron red with four upright lotus buds wreathed in underglaze-blue stems, all below a double-line border at the rim, the base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character seal mark

Orientique, 30th November 2000.

There is a minute nick on the rim with an associated hairline crack extending on approx. 3.5 cm. onto the interior of the cup and on about 2 cm. on the exterior. Otherwise the cup is in 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."

For the Ming prototype of this design see a cup excavated from the late Chenghua stratum of the Imperial kilnsites at Jingdezhen, included in the Tsui Museum of Art Exhibition A Legacy of Chenghua, Hong Kong, 1993, cat. no. C96.