A GROUP OF CHINESE EXPORT 'MOUNT VERNON' TEAWARES CIRCA 1805

each painted with a view of the home of George Washington, comprising: a teacup and saucer with a salmon-ground iron-red berried vine border; and two teacups with a lappet border.

Both the teacups with the arched borders have their handles entirely missing. One also has two small rim chips each issuing short haircracks, and two further half inch haircracks to the rim. The other one has one small rim chip issuing a haircrack and eight further fine haircracks to the rim each between half and one and a half inches long. The cup with the saucer has the handle completely restored and probably mostly made up, the area where the handle is attached is sprayed. There are three cracks running down from the rim, two are 2 inches long and the other is one inch long. The gilt monogram above the Mount Vernon panel is partly rubbed away. The matching saucer has the gilding around the center panel and the monogram entirely rubbed away, otherwise in good condition.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Howard and Ayers, 1978, Vol. II, p. 495, no. 505, note that at least five differently bordered 'Mount Vernon' services are known. These five borders include that found on the present cup and saucer, a vine border, a 'Fitzhugh' border, a narrow green leafy border and a blue enamel and gilt husk border, examples of which have all appeared at auction. The border found on the present two cups appears to be a sixth, and may be previously unrecorded.