Qianlong Period, Yellow‑Ground Sgraffito Famille‑Rose Cup with Flower‑and‑Butterfly Motif

拍品描述

Dimensions：H.5 cm, Diam.7.5 cm Condition & Provenance：Fully intact, no cracks or chips. Well‑preserved sgraffito ground, vibrant enamels, natural age‑related gilding wear at rim, moderate wear on foot, no chemical cleaning. Formerly private collection of Arthur Miller, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. Acquired in 1990s, family heirloom. Never appeared at public auction, no exhibition or publication records. Description：A fine imperial‑style Qianlong famille‑rose teacup for court usage. The cup has gilded flared rim, gently curved tapering body and low neatly‑formed foot, produced from fine smooth porcelain. Exterior features bright yellow glaze ground entirely covered by meticulous incised sgraffito scrollwork. Upon the ground are painted peonies and butterflies in famille‑rose palette. Full‑blossomed peony with layered petals accompanied by leafy stems; several colourful butterflies in varied postures hover among blossoms, their wings delicately shaded in pink, blue and purple, symbolising prosperity and good fortune. The interior is entirely covered with smooth turquoise‑green glaze. Base bears underglaze‑blue four‑character square seal mark “Qian Long Nian Zhi” on turquoise‑green ground. Sgraffito famille‑rose represents iconic Qianlong imperial porcelain technique, requiring complex multi‑step production including fine incising before glazing and enamelling. This cup features pure ground tone, richly composed decoration and layered colour rendering, fully reflecting the magnificent and exquisite aesthetic of High‑Qing court porcelain.

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