Chinese Tea Cup Set (6) with Floral Motif

Six cups in a row, each with one loose swipe of blue and a pink bloom.

This set of six porcelain tea cups with a floral motif is from China, and dates to the 20th century. Sets of matching cups let a host serve several guests alike, and painted or transfer-printed patterns help the pieces read together as one group. Six small white cups lined up on bright orange satin inside a gold-colored folding box. Each cup carries a quick blue brushstroke and a pink flower, and tall columns of black calligraphy stand on the two flaps with a red seal.

Brushwork so casual it looks like it took no effort at all.