| Finely decorated on the exterior with two groups
of cockerels parading in front of hens among chicks pecking at the
ground. Decoration in colorful enamels within delicate cobalt blue outline.
The two separate scenes are divided by finely shaded blue rock groupings
among bamboo, peonies, and narcissus. The reign mark inscribed in cobalt
blue within a double square.
Most (if not all) Qing copies show the cockerels in
different facing positions, with many ruffled tail feathers versus the
traditional 'three tail feathers' on all known authenticated Chenghua chicken
cups. On April 27th, 1999, a Chenghua chicken cup set a record for the
highest price paid at auction for any Chinese work of art. Click
here to view that article. This record
has since been surpassed. To date, there are only three known authentic Chenghua
chicken cups in private hands.
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