A FINE AND HIGHLY UNUSUAL SMALL BLUE AND WHITE 'FISH POND' CUP MARK AND PERIOD OF YONGZHENG |

exquisitely potted with gently rounded sides rising from a countersunk base rim, delicately painted in soft tones of cobalt-blue in outlines infilled with wash, the exterior decorated with continuous design of a fish pond, depicting a variety of fishes swimming amidst aquatic plants, some of the larger fish finely detailed with hatching, the base inscribed with a six-character reign mark within a double circle, wood stand

Treasures of Hong Kong: The 20th Anniversary of Hong Kong's Handover, Capital Museum, Beijing, 2017, cat. no. 96.

The cup is good condition. There are tiny burst bubbles to the rim that have been worn down over time.
"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 and skilfully painted in cobalt-blue washes with different fishes swimming amid aquatic plants, this cup epitomises the delicacy and refinement of porcelains achieved by the imperial kilns during the Yongzheng period. The dainty cup provides only a small canvas for the painter, but the fishes are exceptionally rendered to illicit a lively effect.   The present cup is highly unusual and no other examples appear to be recorded. See a related pair of Yongzheng mark and period blue and white dishes, likewise painted in blue washes with fish, sold at Bonhams London, 16th May 2013, lot 36, and again in our London rooms, 6th November 2019, lot 332. A similar composition can also be found on a Yongzheng doucai bowl, illustrated in The Tsui Museum of Art. Chinese Ceramics IV. Qing Dynasty, Hong Kong, 1995, pl. 146.

The felicitous motif of fishes amongst aquatic plants was taken up by Jingdezhen’s porcelain painters already in the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368). Some of the finest Yuan blue and white jars are painted with this motif, such as the ‘fish’ jar in the Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka, from the Ataka Collection illustrated in Tōyō tōji no tenkai / Masterpieces of Oriental Ceramics, The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka, 1999, cat. no. 33. Fish has long been imbued with Daoist connotations derived from their freedom of movement. The most common combination of fishes also symbolises purity, integrity and nobility. Such a charming and meaningful motif continued to be favoured by succeeding emperors who endorsed the ideology and virtues. See, for instance, a related Kangxi cup offered in this sale, lot 3622.