Preliminary identification
Photo reference
4 uploaded photos
Overview
An exquisite, thin-walled Chinese blue and white porcelain sake cup featuring hand-painted lotus blossoms and scrolling tendrils. The interior rim is inscribed with a poetic line in underglaze blue, and the base bears a four-character seal mark reading 'Rao Zhou Gu Yi' (Ancient Art of Raozhou), housed in a custom Japanese wooden tomobako box.
Story
Created in Jingdezhen during a period of intense cultural exchange, this cup was custom-made for a Japanese tea master or sake connoisseur. The poetic inscription '长日香风细细吹' evokes a gentle breeze carrying the scent of lotus on a long summer day.
Maker / Origin
The base mark 'Rao Zhou Gu Yi' references Raozhou, the historical prefecture that oversaw the imperial kilns of Jingdezhen. This mark was used by high-end private workshops specializing in reviving classic Ming and early Qing dynasty styles for sophisticated domestic and export markets, particularly Japan.
Condition & Value
The cup appears to be in excellent condition with no visible chips, cracks, or restorations. The glaze is bright and the underglaze cobalt remains vibrant. The accompanying wooden box and silk pouch show minor age-related wear but are well-preserved. Excellent condition with original packaging commands a premium.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.