Page 16 - 2019 October Qing Imperial Porcelain Sotheby's Hong Kong

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.

14 SOTHEBY ’S QING IMPERIAL PORCELAIN