A rare set of eggshell tea cup and saucer from the Qianlong period decorated with Faux Bois or "Fake wood" The cup and saucer are decorated in Famille rose colours with a central roundel filled with a flower spray surrounded by three medallions filled with flowering plants all on an iron-red-brown ground. Round the rim a scroll pattern border. The backside is undecorated. To the Chinese the imitation of one material by another was an artistic challenge. Hence we see objects made of porcelain having the appearance of bronze, bamboo, marble or soapstone, jade, coral, lacquer and, as in this case, wood. This wood grain decoration is named faux bois and must have appealed to the Western Rococo taste with its similar love of illusion. (Jörg & Van Campen 1997, pp.215-215, cat. 239) For similarly with ‘wood grain’ decorated objects, please see: Chinese Ceramics in the Collection of the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam. The Ming and Qing Dynasties, (C.J.A. Jörg in collaboration with J. van Campen, Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, London 1997), pp.215-215, cat. 239. See a similar set sold at Rob Michiels: https://www.rm-auctions.com/en/asian-arts-3/6576-a-chinese-famille-rose-faux-bois-cup-and-saucer-qianlong Condition: Cup: Large shard broken out en restuck. 3 small hairlines, old repaired rimfrits and footrim. Saucer: No damage. Only wear on the enamels. Saucer: W10,5 x H1,9 cm Cup: W6,8 x H3,5 cm Shipping method: The item is securely packed and shipped with insurance without stand or doll house vase.