An especially fine example of the potter’s art, this Chinese export porcelain tea bowl and saucer is decorated in underglaze with both double wall and reticulated construction. This was, and remains today, a tour-de-force in porcelain production with hand-cut open work designs along the saucer’s edge as well as a honey-comb pattern cut into the outer wall of the tea bowl. If that were not enough, the inner wall of the tea bowl behind the reticulation is also hand-painted. This utterly remarkable piece typifies the quality of porcelain, glaze and sheer artistry of the Kangxi period artisans, and it is no wonder why it was referred to as “Ling-Lung” or “Devil’s Work” due to the amount of time, talent, and patience it took to create it. It is in surprisingly good condition with only one small ‘spoke’ missing from the roundel on one side of the tea bowl restored, otherwise, just a truly lovely object.  We have had several tea bowls over the years, but this is the first time we’ve ever had a tea bowl with a saucer.  Saucer 5 1/4″ in diameter, the tea bowl 3 1/4″ in diameter. Kangxi, circa 1690.