Two teacups and saucers on footring, spreading sides. Decorated in underglaze blue with two women by a reed border at a riverbank, one holding a parasol, the other watching three wading birds surrounded by a narrow band with flower sprays. On the sides a double row of honeycomb motifs. Inside on the base of the cup a panel with a paddling duck. Seven insects on the reverse of the dish. This is the well-known representation of the ‘Parasol Lady’ after a sketch commissioned by the VOC from the artist Cornelis Pronk (1691–1759). He drew a chinoiserie, combining Oriental elements in his own way. The insects on the reverse were also copied from his drawing. His set of illustrations was sent to Batavia in 1735 and then forwarded to China. The design was applied in underglaze blue, Chinese Imari and enamel colours on eating and drinking utensils from 1736–1738. Japanese porcelain was also made after this design (cat. XX{}). It was hugely successful but very costly and after a brief period the VOC decided to stop ordering this type of commande. Two of the original sketches of this decoration are preserved in the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam (Jörg). The usual border panelling is absent on thes...