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Just 4 cm tall, can any help with what it's for, how old and is it Chinese,ta.

Could be used for wine or astringent tea, which is usually taken in small doses. The shape resembles some Japanese cups I've seen, but the decoration of tree shrews amidst grapes is a classic Chinese theme, not that the Japanese don't borrow such icons. Let's see what the Japanese experts say and then regroup.

Best regards,

Bill H.

Many thanks Bill !

It may come back to bite me, but I'm going to side with the prospect of your cup being Chinese and possibly early 19th century, based on the mark. Its configuration has precedent in factory markings that appeared from the late Qianlong-Jiaqing period and later. Here's a re-do of your mark in the juxtaposition that looks best to me, but who knows what the factory "calliscribbler" had in mind. Also a reprise of some photos I showed here a few months back of a really great famille rose "Tree Shrew & Grapes" motif.

Cheers,

Bill H.

Thanks Bill, will do more research.

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