intricately carved to one side depicting a scholar seated on a rock with his right arm resting on a qin, the reverse with an attendant boiling tea under a gnarled pine tree, accompanied by a deer and a crane in the middle

The cup is in overall good condition with minor shallow chips to the edges and fragile extremities, including the edges of the pine blossoms, the branches and the deer's leg. The branch to the left of the scholar has possibly been stabilised.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Compare a similar earlier cup, dated to the Ming dynasty, skilfully carved in openwork with figures and animals forming the handles of the vessel, from the Qing court collection and still in Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Jadeware (III), Hong Kong, 1995, pl. 204.