A PAIR OF LOBED LIME-GREEN GLAZED WINE CUPS YONGZHENG MARKS AND PERIOD

each deep U-shaped body rising from a short straight foot to an everted rim, the sides divided into four lobes and covered with a bright lime-green glaze, leaving the interior and the base white, the base inscribed with a six-character Yongzheng mark within a double circle

One cup has a minute discoloured burst glaze bubble on the well. There is a 0.5 hairline running vertically along the rim, the exterior is extensively scratched with short scratch marks visible against the lime-green glaze. The other cup has two 0.5cm hairlines running vertically along the rim and a 0.5cm scratch at the well. Along the rim is another circa 0.3cm glaze chip near one of the hairlines. The base has a circa 1cm scratch running horizontally across the reign mark near the top. The exterior is extensively scratched with the longest measuring circa 0.5cm near the mouth rim. Other glaze firing imperfections such as burst glaze bubbles are also found.
"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."

Green-glazed cups of this type are extremely rare and no closely related example appears to have been published. Compare a larger green-glazed bowl of this type, also with a Yongzheng reign mark and of the period, in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, illustrated in Rose Kerr, Chinese Ceramics. Porcelain of the Qing Dynasty 1644-1911, London, 1986, pl. 66; and another, but with the interior also glazed green, sold in our Paris rooms, 9^th June 2010, lot 239.

For wine cups of this form and small size but of various glazes, please see the note to Lot 61 in this catalogue.