.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
Previously sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 2 May 1991, lot 124.
Doucai 'chicken' cups from the reign of the Emperor Chenghua (1465-1487) were highly treasured by both the Ming and Qing courts for their subtle execution of soft enamel colours, so much so that the design was copied from the late Ming period onwards. In essence, 'chicken' cups of the early Qing period closely adhered their painting style and design to the original Chenghua prototype with only minor differences. In this instance, it is interesting to note this later interpretation showing a single 'family' unit on one side and a more prominent arrangement of ornamental rockwork on the reverse. Another point of note is the form of the present cup which is potted with deep straight sides, as opposed to those with flared sides more in keeping with its Ming original, such as the unmarked doucai cup sold in these Rooms, 28 November 2005, lot 1334.
A closely related example of this U-shaped cup from the N. C. Harrison Collection, sold in London 16th May 1967, lot 153, is illustrated by S. Jenyns, Later Chinese Porcelain, Faber and Faber, 1971, pl. CX, fig. 3(B).
Doucai 'chicken' cups from the reign of the Emperor Chenghua (1465-1487) were highly treasured by both the Ming and Qing courts for their subtle execution of soft enamel colours, so much so that the design was copied from the late Ming period onwards. In essence, 'chicken' cups of the early Qing period closely adhered their painting style and design to the original Chenghua prototype with only minor differences. In this instance, it is interesting to note this later interpretation showing a single 'family' unit on one side and a more prominent arrangement of ornamental rockwork on the reverse. Another point of note is the form of the present cup which is potted with deep straight sides, as opposed to those with flared sides more in keeping with its Ming original, such as the unmarked doucai cup sold in these Rooms, 28 November 2005, lot 1334.
A closely related example of this U-shaped cup from the N. C. Harrison Collection, sold in London 16th May 1967, lot 153, is illustrated by S. Jenyns, Later Chinese Porcelain, Faber and Faber, 1971, pl. CX, fig. 3(B).