The decoration depicts Apollo playing the lyre, in his role as the god of music and poetry. The design derives from a European print; see the last photo for a later version. Our thanks to Mr Will Motley for providing this information.

Reference:

• A tea bowl and saucer Royal Museums of Art and History in Brussels, inv no. V 1059, published by Christiaan Jörg, 'Chinese Export Porcelain. Chine de Commande from the Royal Museums of Art and History in Brussels', 1989, pp. 184-185, no. 68.

• Hervouet & Bruneau, 'La Porcelain des Compagnies des Indes a Décor Occidental', p. 296, no. 13.20.