Rare Chinese Tonkin Ware Cup-and-Saucer, Early 18th Century

China or Japan, Chinese artisans, early 18th century

The black-lacquered cup with gilt handles in the shape of sculptured chrysanthemums and a lobbed edge decorated with gilt engraved border, with a gilt foot-ring that fits into the saucer ring, with two cartouches showing partly undercut gilt relief trees and birds on a gilt granulated background, black lacquered bracket-lobed edge, depicting gilt engraved peony scrolls and three cartouches decorated with high relief gilt trees and birds on a gilt granulated background, the centre with engraved chrysanthemum, enclosed by a raised ring upon which the cup fits, around which a circular panel decorated with high gilt relief trees, flowers, birds and a butterfly on a gilt granulated background.

Measures: Cup: H. 5.7 x W. 8.5 cm
Saucer: Diameter 13 cm

Provenance:
Collection Felix Schäfer

Note:

The decoration of the cup and saucer is identical to the slightly smaller cup and saucer in the collection of the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam (inv. No. NG-1994-37-1/E). In a still life painting by Pieter Gerritszoon van Roestraten (1627-1700), three pairs of similar Sawasa cups and saucers are depicted (Sawasa, Japanese export art in black and gold, 1650-1800, Rijksmuseum 1998, fig. 12).