Description
This listing is for a matching pair of vintage or antique Chinese porcelain cups featuring an intricate hand-painted blue and white underglaze decoration.
Measurements:
- Height: 2.0 inches
- Rim Diameter: 3.25 inches
- Width (including handle): 4.0 inches
- Weight: 2.6 oz and 2.8 oz
Key Features Visible in Pictures:
- Form: Wide, shallow bowl shape tapering down to a small circular foot ring, featuring a distinct wavy, scalloped foliate rim and delicate loop handles.
- Exterior Decoration: Highly detailed hand-painted blue underglaze scenes featuring a stylized fish (carp) swimming through churning water waves, foam bubbles, and floating aquatic weeds. The lower edge near the foot ring is finished with a paneled geometric border pattern.
- Interior Decoration: The inside of each cup features a hand-painted underglaze blue floral border along the inner scalloped rim and a central circular medallion at the bottom depicting a detailed aquatic crab.
- Base Markings: The unglazed underside of each cup features a hand-written, four-character underglaze blue mark written in a vertical two-column layout reading "咸丰年制" (Xianfeng Nian Zhi).
Culture & Origin:
- Culture: Chinese Ceramic Tradition.
- Region of Origin: China (likely the Jingdezhen kilns).
- Manufacturer: Artisan Hand-Painted / Unmarked Factory.
Estimated Date / Age:
- Era: Circa late 19th Century to mid-20th Century (Features an apocryphal/homage mark referencing the 1851–1861 Xianfeng reign).
Condition:
The items are being sold in used vintage/antique condition. The hand-painted porcelain bodies and handle joints appear structurally intact with no visible chips, cracks, or fractures. The white glaze retains a bright, clean finish. Natural weight and minor paint density variations are present between the two pieces, confirming their hand-written and hand-painted artisan nature. Please review all provided high-resolution photos closely to evaluate the exact cosmetic state, glaze texture, and cleanliness of the porcelain, as the images constitute the primary description of condition.
Disclaimer
Please note that while I do my best to thoroughly research and describe every item accurately, I am not a professional appraiser. All identifications regarding the maker, materials, historical style, date, culture, and naming conventions are opinions made in completely good faith based on the visible features of the piece. Buyers are kindly encouraged to review all photographs carefully, do their own due diligence, and come to their own conclusions prior to bidding or purchase.