Chinese Export “thousand Lohan” Set Of Five Cups & Saucers, Late 19th Century

A cohesive set of five Chinese export porcelain tea cups with five matching saucers, late Qing (c. 1880–1900). Each cup and saucer is densely painted in iron-red, gilt and coloured enamels with the celebrated “Thousand Lohan” motif: ranks of tiny arhat (Lohan) heads radiating from a central gilt roundel to form a hypnotic kaleidoscope. The decoration continues inside the cups as well as outside, demonstrating meticulous miniature brushwork typical of the Canton/Hong Kong finishing workshops.

Undersides bear an overglaze iron-red shop mark 廣益記 (Guang Yi Ji / Kwong Yick Kee), a known Cantonese/Hong Kong retailer in the export trade; this is a commercial retailer signature, not an imperial reign mark.

Dimensions
Five cups and five saucers.

• Saucer: Ø 12.7 cm; H 2.0 cm

• Cup: rim Ø 8.6 cm; width over handle 10.3 cm; H 4.7 cm

Condition
No repairs, restorations or cracks. Minor age-consistent rubbing to the gilding; otherwise excellent antique condition.

Shipping & Packaging
Fully tracked and insured delivery.
Professional packaging with careful handling.
Recycled materials used where possible.

Please study all photographs as they form part of the description. Questions are welcome.