A PAIR OF CHINESE IMPERIAL IRON-RED 'DRAGON' WINE CUPS

A PAIR OF CHINESE IMPERIAL IRON-RED 'DRAGON' WINE CUPS

SIX CHARACTER GUANGXU MARKS AND OF THE PERIOD 1875-1908

Each painted with two ferocious scaly dragons chasing sacred pearls, surrounded by stylised flames, one beast looking back in fury at his pursuer, all above crashing waves, 4.8cm. (2)

Provenance: from the collection of Dr Oliver Impey (1936-2005), and Dr Jane (Mellanby) Impey (1938-2021), of Cumnor Place, Oxford.

Cf. S Marchant and Son, Exhibition of Nineteenth Century Mark and Period Porcelain, 1991, p.63, no.68 for a pair of Guangxu mark and period cups with a similar design; see also the British Museum, access. no.PDF B711 for a Tongzhi mark and period example on loan from the Sir Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art; and see the Victoria and Albert Museum, access. no.803-1883 for another Tongzhi example.