A RARE RUBY-PINK ENAMELLED CUP MARK AND PERIOD OF YONGZHENG

delicately potted with deep rounded sides rising from a short straight foot to a gently everted rim, the exterior covered with a vibrant mottled ruby-pink enamel, the interior and base left white, the latter inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character reign mark within a double circle
8.6 cm, 3 3/8 in.

Provenance:
In its clean form and vibrant hue, the present cup exemplifies the Yongzheng Emperor’s incessant pursuit of refined beauty in simple forms.

The pink enamel was probably first introduced in China from Europe through Jesuit missionaries during the Kangxi period (see Nigel Wood, Chinese Glazes, Hong Kong, 1999, pp. 241-243). Numerous scientific experiments were conducted, resulting in an improved recipe of a matte ruby-pink enamel derived from colloidal gold combined with an admixture of opaque white lead arsenate. With the achievements of these technological advancement, an array of small refined vessels characterised by fine potting and perfectly fired enamels of bright hues were commissioned during the Yongzheng reign, and the present bowl is undoubtedly an example of such.

A Yongzheng cup of this form and enamel colour was included in the exhibition Zhongguo ming tao Riben xunhui zhan [Exhibition of famous Chinese ceramics touring Japan], National Museum of History, Taipei, 1993, p. 177. Compare another closely related example sold twice in these rooms, first, 31st October 1995, lot 415, and again 29th October 2001, lot 577.

Other related variants of ruby-pink cups include a slightly larger one, offered in this sale, lot 3109; and a group of slightly different shape, occasionally accompanied by anhua decoration, such as one from the Meiyintang Collection, sold in these rooms, 7th April 2011, lot 31.