*A fine pair of Chinese doucai lingzhi wine cups six character Yongzheng marks in underglaze blue and of the period 1723-35, each gently flaring U-shaped body raised on a short circular foot, delicately painted to the exterior with four pairs of ruyi-heads divided by florets issuing scrolling leaves, all within concentric bands in underglaze blue, the interiors glazed white, 7.3cm. (2)

Provenance: purchased from John Sparks Ltd. during the Second World War.

Cf. R E Scott, For the Imperial Court, Qing Porcelain from the Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art, p.110, no.40. See also Sotheby's, Hong Kong, 8th October 2013, lot 3094 for a similar pair of cups, and Christie's, Hong Kong, Wednesday 1st June 2011, lot 3523. See also the Catalogue of the Special Exhibition of Ch'eng-hua Porcelain Ware, National Palace Museum, pp.153-155 for the Chenghua prototypes of this design.