A RU-TYPE EAR-CUP QIANLONG SEAL MARK AND PERIOD

the oval-shaped cup with rounded sides supported on a low footrim, flanked by a pair of elongated C-shaped ear handles, covered overall in an opaque greyish-blue glaze suffused with a network of faint golden crackle, the base inscribed with a six-character seal mark

Lee Family Collection, formed in Shanghai in the 1920s.

The ear-cup is in very good condition with the exception of a tiny burst glaze bubble to the base and a light overall crackle to the glaze.
"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 charming vessel takes its form from archaic bronze ear cups of the Warring States (475-221 BC) and Han dynasty (206 BC-220 AD). Covered in a ru-type glaze, the rarest of the Five Celebrated Wares of the Song dynasty, this piece demonstrates the Qianlong Emperor’s taste for archaism. The subtle curves of the vessel are accentuated by the luminous glaze to result in a piece that was both contemporary and steeped in tradition.

 

A related example, but without a reign mark, from the Edward T. Chow collection, was sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 25^th November 1980, lot 92; and another, covered in a guan-type glaze, was also sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 26^th/27^th November 1976, lot 118.

 

Ear-cups, known in Chinese as bei or yushang, are of this oval form with a pair of round ears serving as handles. Vessels of this type appear to have had a dual function and were used both as wine and food containers. The cup's dual use is evident from the ninety ear-cups unearthed from the Han dynasty tomb site belonging to the first Marquis Dai and his family, located at Mawangdui near Changsha in Hunan province, where fifty cups were found inscribed with the three-characters jun feng shi meaning 'to serve you food' and the rest inscribed with the three-characters jun feng jiu which translates as 'to serve you wine'.