AN EXQUISITELY ENAMELLED WUCAI 'BUTTERFLIES AND ASTERS' WINECUP MARK AND PERIOD OF KANGXI

superbly potted with rounded sides rising to a flaring rim, elegantly painted on the exterior with bright yellow asters borne on a leafy sprig, accompanied by three flying butterflies detailed with various colours and patterns, the countersunk base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character reign mark enclosed within a double square

Collection of Iver Munthe Daae.
S. Marchant & Son Ltd., London.

Recent Acquisitions 2003, S. Marchant and Son Ltd., London, 2003, cat. no. 4.

The overall condition is quite good. The brilliant enamel is superbly applied and well preserved with only minor loss at the stamens of the asters. There is a 0.7 cm nibble and a minute dark kiln grit to the foot.
"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."

Exquisitely painted with finely enamelled butterflies in flight and delicately rendered flowers, cups of this design are rare; see a closely related example in the Shanghai Museum, Shanghai, illustrated in Kangxi Porcelain Wares from the Shanghai Museum Collection, Hong Kong, 1998, pls 93.1-3; and another sold in our London rooms, 9^th June 2004, lot 216.

This cup is a fine example of the developments in painting during the Qing dynasty, where wash and colour were beginning to be emphasised over line. Known as the 'boneless style', this painting technique is characterised by the virtual lack of outlines. The only lines in the entire composition are those rendering the veins on the leaves and wings of the butterflies. This technique was rarely used on porcelain. For further examples of butterfly and flower decorated cups employing the 'boneless style', see a pair with a Kangxi reign mark and of the period, sold in our New York rooms, 8^th May 1980, lot 249; and an example of Yongzheng mark and period, from the J.M. Hu Family Collection, sold in these rooms, 11^th April 2008, lot 2832.