A FINE AND RARE PAIR OF FAMILLE-ROSE 'CRANE AND PINE' CUPS MARKS AND PERIOD OF YONGZHENG

each of ogee form with finely potted thin sides rising from a short foot, delicately painted to the exterior with an elegant crane standing on one leg below a spreading pine tree, the gnarled branch rising from sprigs of lingzhi fungus, with two iron-red bats to the reverse, three further bats depicted swooping on the interior, together forming the wufu, the base inscribed in underglaze blue with a three-column six-character mark within a double-circle

Canton Collection.
Christie's Hong Kong, 3rd November 1996, lot 798.
Collection of Robin Herridge.
Sotheby's London, 14th November 2001, lot 103.

Joined Colours, Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C., 1993, cat. no. 59.

The cups are in overall very good condition except for a few very minute kiln flakes to the unglazed footring of one cup. The enamels are well preserved with occasional faint scratches and minor rubbing to the surface.
"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."

Yongzheng cups of this form and pattern are rare, although a comparable pair was sold in these rooms, 29th October 1991, lot 244. Compare also a rounded cup of Yongzheng mark and period with related decoration in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Porcelain of the National Palace Museum: Fine Enamelled Ware of the Ch'ing Dynasty, vol. 1, Hong Kong, 1969, pl. 5.

The 'crane and pine' motif symbolises the wish for longevity and advance age. The popular Chinese saying songhe xialing can be translated as 'may you have a long life as the crane and the age of the pine'. It is also a birthday greeting and the 'crane and pine' is a common motif on birthday presents.