Tea cup - Porcelain

A lovely Chinese porcelain tea cup, dating from the transitional period between the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, approximately the mid-17th century.

The cup is decorated in the provincial Wucai style, with vibrant iron-red and green enamels against a light blue glaze. The exterior is divided into ogival or swirling panels, each containing a painted floral spray.

The craftsmanship reflects the Transitional aesthetic, where the precision of the Ming era began to merge with the more fluid and varied styles of the early Qing period. The base remains unglazed, revealing a gritty porcelain paste often associated with the Zhangzhou (Swatow) kilns or provincial Jingdezhen production. The rim and foot rim show an aged patina where the unglazed porcelain has darkened over time.

Height: 5 cm
Diameter: 8.5 cm
Net Weight: 109 g.

Condition: The cup has a hairline crack extending from the rim down into the body. The unglazed foot rim shows kiln grit and firing imperfections from the original manufacturing process. The enamel decoration is vibrant with minor surface wear.
Overall, it looks fantastic, it is whole, and the decorations are crisp.

Please take a good look at the photos, which are an integral part of the description.

This lot will be carefully packed so it will get to its new owner exactly as it should.