A pair of Chinese doucai square cups dating from the Kangxi dynasty. Each comes with a wooden stand. Each side of each cup features a scene with flowers surrounded by a blue outline. The foot has a green swirl band. The mouths of the cups are slightly flaring. Dimensions are: 2 3/4 inches tall X 3 1/4 inches long X 3 1/4 inches wide, 7 cm X 8.3 cm X 8.3 cm. All measurements are approximate. Condition: Both cups have wear to the edges, abrasions throughout, and firing cracks to the interior. The rims have been ground down. A reminder that all lots are sold as-is. We have sought to record the changes in the condition of this piece after its initial manufacture as diligently as possible; however, as stated in our terms, condition reports are statements of opinion and not representations or warranties. Oakridge Auction Gallery bears no responsibility for any error or omission. Provenance: From a private Long Island, New York collection. Notes: There is not a pair of cups more handsome and dignified than these. Made of pure porcelain, these square cups have curving lips which flare outward at the rim. They stand upon thin, recessed feet decorated with green whorls. A slim, blue line frames each side of each cup, within which are small paintings of flowers outlined in blue underglaze in a technique and palette known as doucai. The sides all have different flowers including lotuses, peonies, plum blossoms, and chrysanthemums. The insides and bottoms of the cups remain a clear, clean white. These cups are the picture of refinement, their decoration beautiful yet restrained, the pale oranges and greens confined to the areas delineated by the blue underglaze.Doucai is a technique in painting Chinese porcelains wherein the outlines of the design are painted in blue underglaze, fired, glazed with colored enamels, then fired again at lower temperatures. The style began in the 15th century but was abandoned in favor of new, more easily fired blue overglaze techniques. However, doucai was later revived under the Qing Dynasty, when the court reappraised the technique in full appreciation of its delicately composed design aesthetic. This pair of cups are a product of the Qing Dynasty revival, as evidenced by the clarity and charm of its design.創燒於明朝宣德年間，明成化時期的鬥彩最受推崇，是釉下彩（青花）與釉上彩相結合的一種裝飾品種。清朝盛世的鬥彩瓷器大多數繪畫精工，改變了成彩 "葉無反側"、"四季單衣" 的弱點，圖案性更強。康、雍、乾官窯都有一些仿成化鬥彩產品，特別是雍正時期己能有把握地仿燒出成化鬥彩，但這些仿品大都署本朝年款或不落款，只有少數寄托成化款。本件作品作四方鬥形，撇口，斜壁收腰，方圈足。此杯杯壁四周以青花勾線加彩，四面繪以春夏秋冬四季花卉紋，寓意四季繁榮昌盛，富貴吉祥，畫法清秀典雅，層次分明，是典型康熙時期產物。明清瓷器以圓形居多，制作方形器不似圓器可利用拉坯技術，只能泥塑成型，制作工藝覆雜，且受技術局限大多器型不規整，並且方鬥杯瓷器造型比較難燒造，而且成功率很低，只有在明清瓷器發展的巔峰時期才能燒造這種難度大的瓷器造型，也只有皇宮貴族能使用。本件作品其為對杯，流傳至今，難能可貴，其畫工細致，色彩清雅，應是覆制前朝器型而制（故宮博物院有一康熙方鬥杯），故未落款，器型規整度如此之高，實屬難得，彌足珍貴，是為收藏之佳品。The Palace Museum in Beijing houses a similar example under accession number 00087554. The British Museum possesses a similar example under accession number PDF,A.719.參閱故宮博物院館藏清康熙春暉草堂款花草紋方鬥杯，編號新00087554 (fig. 1)。參閱大英博物館館藏，編號PDF,A.719 (fig. 2)。 High resolution photos can be found here.