A FINE LEMON-YELLOW CUP MARK AND PERIOD OF YONGZHENG

delicately potted with deep rounded sides resting on a short straight foot, the exterior applied with a vibrant lemon-yellow glaze stopping neatly at the foot, the base inscribed with a six-character reign mark within a double-circle 

The cup is in fine condition. There is a natural 3 cm bodyline under the glaze, only visible when a torch light is shone.
"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."

Deceptively simple in form and colour, lemon-yellow glazed vessels represent one of the most technically challenging porcelains to be produced. Monochrome wares of this type required absolute precision in potting, glazing and firing, as the smallest imperfection resulted in the destruction of the piece. Amongst all the different monochrome glazes, yellow is the only colour that has direct imperial association. Although imperial yellow-glazed wares had been produced from the early Ming dynasty they were used exclusively for ritual ceremonies; thus lemon-yellow vessels provided the court with an alternative for daily use. The yellow glaze was derived from an antimoniate oxide and the lemon-yellow glaze was a Yongzheng innovation achieved when the antimoniate of iron was combined with tin oxide resulting in a dazzling translucent yellow hue.

A pair of closely related lemon-yellow glazed bowls, from the collection of Mr and Mrs Eli Lilly, was sold in our New York rooms, 3rd June 1993, lot 334; another, included in the Chang Foundation exhibition Chinese Art from the Ching Wan Society Collections II, Taipei, 1998, cat. no. 44, was sold in our London rooms, 4th November 1997, lot 1375; a pair from the collection of Edward T. Chow was sold in these rooms, 25th November 1980, lot 101; and a fourth pair, from the collection of W.F. van Heukelom, was sold in our London rooms, 5th November 2014, lot 51.