881 - White teacup with dragon motif and Yongzheng mark

White teacup with dragon motif and Yongzheng mark China, probably Qing Dynasty. Porcelain with finely incised decoration (ànkè). Height: 5.1 cm. Mouth diameter: 10.2 cm. Six-character Yongzheng mark (1723–1736) in underglaze blue within a double circle. In good condition. The wall features a finely incised decoration with bats and a motif presumably depicting a dragon amidst waves. - Provenance: From a German private collection. This cup is distinguished by an exceptionally fine porcelain body, a thin-walled and elegant design in so-called eggshell porcelain quality, and a smooth, lustrous white glaze. On the underside is a carefully executed six-character Yongzheng reign mark. Note: Ànkè refers to a subtle decoration incised into the porcelain body beneath the glaze. The motif often becomes clearly visible only when light falls on it from the side and is considered a particularly refined decorative technique in Chinese porcelain art.