A CHINESE EXPORT PART DINNER SERVICE, QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD, CIRCA 1785 |

each piece painted in the center with a purple floral spray, within a border of flower and fruit festoons, comprising: an oval tureen, cover and stand, a pair of vegetable dishes and covers, a pair of sauce boats and stands, an oval basin and stand, three oval platters of varying sizes, a pair of butter tubs, covers and stands, a mustard pot and cover with a spoon, a small sweetmeat dish, a cylindrical potted meat pot, cover and stand, a charger, eighteen plates and eleven small plates. 59 pieces.  

Matthew and Elisabeth Sharpe, Spring Mill, Pennsylvania, January 9, 1978

The service is in very condition for its size. All pieces in overall good condition with expected minor wear and minor firing imperfections except: one 9-in plate with a chip to the underside rim, 4 with restored rim chips, three with a minute nick to the rim, one with two small restored rim chips and a y-shaped short glaze crack to the base. one small plate with a U-shaped section of the rim out (in 3 pieces and restuck, one with a chip to the underside rim, two with restored rim chips, one with a hairline. One small and one large oval platter with minor fritting at the rim. One butter tub stand with a short hair line, and one butter tub cover with a minute chip to the rim. The potted meat pot stand with a minute glaze flake to the underside rim. One sauce boat with minor fritting on the lower terminal of handles. The spoon of the mustard pot possibly a later replacement.
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.