A BLUE AND WHITE ‘DRAGON MEDALLION’ HANDLED CUP KANGXI MARK AND PERIOD

well-potted, the deep rounded sides flanked by a pair of chilong handles, rising from a short foot to a gently flaring rim, the exterior finely painted with two medallions, each formed from a five-clawed ferocious dragon writhing amongst flames, the base with a six-character reign mark within a double circle

There are two rim chips, one measuring approx. 0.3x0.1cm and the other 0.1x0.1cm, both repainted. Minor glaze firing imperfections such as iron spot and glaze pull.
"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."

Cups of this charming miniature form and painted with dragon roundels are unusual, although a closely related example, with its matching saucer, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, is illustrated in Gugong bowuyuan cang. Qingdai yuyao ciqi [Qing porcelains from the imperial kilns preserved in the Palace Museum], Beijing, 2005, vol. 1, pl. 57. Finely potted cups of this type, with crisp archaistic dragon handles, were also produced with a shallow moulded band of archaistic dragons and covered on the exterior in yellow glaze during the Kangxi period; see one in the Palace Museum, Beijing, published in Kangxi. Yongzheng. Qianlong, Hong Kong, 1989, p. 164, pl. 147.