A Fine Pair of White 'Anhua' Glazed Cups Marks and Period of Yongzheng

each finely potted and moulded with six-lobed sides rising from a short foot to an everted rim resembling a mallow-flower blossom, the overlapping petals divided by undulating edges issuing from a lappet band of raised mallow petals circling around the foot, each petal incised with lines simulating floral veins, the interior lightly incised with two dragons in anhua style, covered overall with a white glaze, the base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character reign mark of Yongzheng

The overall condition of the pair is very good. One cup has a small flake to the biscuit footring and typical surface scratches.
"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."

Finely potted with fluently incised petals and subtle anhua dragon design, the present pair of lustrously glazed cups demonstrates the daintiness of the imperial porcelain in the early Qing. A similar white-glazed cup, also of mallow shape and inscribed with a six-character Yongzheng mark arranged in three columns, was sold together with a cupstand in our rooms, 23rd October 2005, lot 515. Mallow-shaped wares appeared as early as in the Song dynasty, when the sublime of plain lacquered foliate dishes was highly admired. The love of this simple yet elegant form was also found in later dynasties. Examples include celadon-glazed dishes from the Xuande period in the collections of Beijing and Taipei Palace Museums.