Sold Ceramics
Sold Chinese wares over-decorated in the West 1700-1800
Dutch over-decorated Amsterdams Bont
Page 1
Classifying European over-decorated Chinese export porcelain into the well known and easily identifiable styles of Imari and Kakiemon, famille verte and famille rose is a convenient way of relating the decoration to its origins and grouping pieces for discussion. Many items fall comfortably into their alloted categories but others are decorated with mixed Japanese and Chinese motifs that could all be classified as Chinoiserie hence their classification is somewhat subjective. (Espir 2005, p.73)
Sold Ceramics - Sold Chinese wares over-decorated in the West 1700-1800 - Dutch over-decorated Amsterdams Bont are categorized in the following order:
- House of Orange
- Imari Designs
- Kakiemon Designs
- Famille Verte Designs
- Famille Rose Designs
- Chinoiserie / Japonaiserie Designs
- Flowerbasket and a Fisherman by a Sentry House
- Religious Designs
- Other Designs
Sold House of Orange
Sold Ceramics - Sold Chinese wares over-decorated in the West 1700-1800 - Dutch over-decorated Amsterdams Bont - House of Orange - Page 1
Object 2012212
Bowl
China
c.1730, over-decorated in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1734 or later to commemorate the marriage in 1734 of Prince William IV of Orange-Nassau and Princess Anne, Princess Royal of England. Her diamond necklace was a wedding present from her husband.
Height 69 mm (2.72 inch), diameter of rim 151 mm (5.94 inch), diameter of footring 60 mm (2.36 inch), weight 265 grams (9.35 ounce (oz.))
Bowl on footring with steeply rounded sides and a straight underglaze brown-edged rim (jia mangkou). Carved anhua (secret) floral decoration. Decorated in underglaze blue with zig-zag lines pattern borders round the bottom and rim. On the base a single flower spray in a double concentric band. Over-decorated in iron-red, black, gold and other overglaze enamels, in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1743 with three fruiting orange trees on the middle tree a banner with the Dutch word vreede (peace), this middle tree is flanked by two head and shoulder portraits of William IV, Prince of Orange-Nassau (1 September 1711 – 22 October 1751), born Willem Karel Hendrik Friso and Anne of Hanover Princess Royal, and Princess of Orange. Prince William is wearing the badge and blue sash of the Order of the Garter to which he had been nominated on 12th June 1733, and a wig whose long flowing locks conceal his crooked back. Princess Anne is wearing the diamond necklace that was her wedding present. On the bottom four groups of flowering peonies. The central representation is surrounded by an x-pattern border and four single flower sprays alternating with small foliage on the inner wall. Round the inner rim an ornamental border.
Since the establishment of the United Provinces in 1579 powerful members of the Orange-Nassau family had governed as Stadholders in the various provinces. In the 17th century their status had been raised by two marriages into the English royal family; in 1641, William II, (1626-1650), son of Prince Frederick Henry, (1584-1647), married Mary Stuart, daughter of Charles I; in 1677, their son, William III, (1650-1702), married Mary Stuart, (1662-1695), daughter of James, Duke of York, Later King James II. In 1689 William III and Mary succeeded to the throne of England. They had no children and after William's death the title of Prince of Orange-Nassau passed to Johan Willem Friso, (1687-1711), Stadholder of the northern provinces of Friesland and Groningen. This was inherited by his son Willem Carel Hendrik Friso, Prince William IV of Orange-Nassau, (1711-1751), an intelligent and courageous man whose ambition was to gain the position of Stadholder over all Seven Provinces. In 1734 he married Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, (1709-1759), daughter of George II, Hanoverian King of England, an event commemorated on delftware and Chinese porcelain. Although this is the first time that Dutch decorators had used Chinese porcelain to commemorate members of the House of Orange, it was part of a continuing tradition dating back to William the Silent (1533-1584) in which Orange-Nassau coats of arms and portraits were impressed or painted on German stoneware and delftware both in the Dutch Republic and England. (Espir 2005, pp.161-162)
Willem IV was the first hereditary 'stadhouder' of the Netherlands. On 14th March 1734 Prince William IV of Orange-Nassau married Princess Anne, the Royal Princess and Princess of Orange, eldest daughter of King George II of Great Britain and Caroline of Ansbach in the French Chapel at St. James's Palace attended by the royal family and four thousand guests. William and Anne had five children. (Espir 2005, p.163)
The source of the portrait of Prince William was perhaps a painting in 1733 by Jacob Schalken (1683-1733) of William in noble profile facing left wearing the sash and badge of the Order of the Garter and holding a heavy staff of office in his right hand. But a similar portrait was painted by Philips van Dyk in 1734 which was copied in mezzotint in 1735 by J. Faber and engraved by Ph. Endlig. As for Princess Anne, in 1734, Philip Mercier painted two portraits of her in a low cut heavily bejewelled dress, probably her wedding dress, with jewels in her hair. On one she is in profile wearing the diamond necklace, copied in mezzotint by J. Faber, and on the other she is turning to the front, but without the necklace, copied by an unknown engraver. The half-turned image with the necklace appears to be a combination of the two portraits but may derive from an as yet unidentified painting. (Espir 2005, p.164)
A copperplate engraving by Thomas Jefferys (1749-11799) of Prince William IV of Orange- Nassau (1711-1751) and Princess Anne of Hannover (1709-1759), mid-18th century. (source: Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, Objectnumber RP-P-1906-4264)
For an identically, shaped, sized and over-decorated in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, bowl, please see:
For similarly shaped, sized and over-decorated bowls, please see:
- Aziatische Ceramiek uit vijf eeuwen, (D.F. Lunsingh Scheurleer, exhibition catalogue of the J.M. van Diepen Collection, Fraeylemaborg, Slochteren 1977), p.105, cat. 312.
- La porcelaine des Compagnies des Indes a décor Occidental, (F. & N. Hervouët & Y. Bruneau, Flammarion - Pere Castor, Paris 1986), p.387, cat. 16.76.
- European Decoration on Oriental Porcelain 1700-1830, (H. Espir, Jorge Welsh Books, London, UK, 2005), pp.161-164, cat. 12.
- Have a Cup of Tea. Chinese Porcelain and Tea in North-West Germany, (Exhibition catalogue, Isensee Verlag, Oldenburg, 2015), p.133, cat. 123 / Made in China, Porzellan und Teekultur im Nordwesten, (Exhibition catalogue, Isensee Verlag, Oldenburg, 2015), p.167, cat. 123.
- The Helen Espir Collection of European Decorated Oriental Porcelain, auction catalogue Woolley & Wallis Salisbury, 12 November 2014, p.12, cat. 315.
Condition: A fring flaw and shallow chip to the footring and two hairlines to the rim.
References:
Lunsingh Scheurleer 1966, cat. 338
Lunsingh Scheurleer 1977, cat. 312
Espir 2005, pp.161-164 & cat. 12
Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, Objectnumber RP-P-1906-4264
Price: Sold.
Sold Ceramics - Sold Chinese wares over-decorated in the West 1700-1800 - Dutch over-decorated Amsterdams Bont - House of Orange - Page 1
Object 2010404
Bowl
China
c.1730, over-decorated in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1734 or later to commemorate the marriage in 1734 of Prince William IV of Orange-Nassau and Princess Anne, Princess Royal of England. Her diamond necklace was a wedding present from her husband.
Height 73 mm (2.87 inch), diameter of rim 150 mm (5.91 inch), diameter of footring 67 mm (2.63 inch)
Bowl on footring, straight rim. Decorated in underglaze blue with a taihu (garden) rock and bamboo trees growing from behind a fence. On the bottom a single flower spray. Over-decorated in iron-red, black, gold and other overglaze enamels, in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont c.1743 with a fruiting orange tree flanked by two head and shoulder portraits of William IV, Prince of Orange-Nassau (1 September 1711 – 22 October 1751), born Willem Karel Hendrik Friso and Anne of Hanover Princess Royal, and Princess of Orange. Prince William is wearing the badge and blue sash of the Order of the Garter to which he had been nominated on 12th June 1733, and a wig whose long flowing locks conceal his crooked back. Princess Anne is wearing the diamond necklace that was her wedding present. Their names; Ps (Princess), Anna (Anne), Ps (Prince), W (Willem), C (Carel), H (Hendrik), F (Friso). are inscribed above them. On the opposite side flowering trees growing from behind a fence. On the sides and bottom floral sprays.
Since the establishment of the United Provinces in 1579 powerful members of the Orange-Nassau family had governed as Stadholders in the various provinces. In the 17th century their status had been raised by two marriages into the English royal family; in 1641, William II, (1626-1650), son of Prince Frederick Henry, (1584-1647), married Mary Stuart, daughter of Charles I; in 1677, their son, William III, (1650-1702), married Mary Stuart, (1662-1695), daughter of James, Duke of York, Later King James II. In 1689 William III and Mary succeeded to the throne of England. They had no children and after William's death the title of Prince of Orange-Nassau passed to Johan Willem Friso, (1687-1711), Stadholder of the northern provinces of Friesland and Groningen. This was inherited by his son Willem Carel Hendrik Friso, Prince William IV of Orange-Nassau, (1711-1751), an intelligent and courageous man whose ambition was to gain the position of Stadholder over all Seven Provinces. In 1734 he married Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, (1709-1759), daughter of George II, Hanoverian King of England, an event commemorated on delftware and Chinese porcelain. Although this is the first time that Dutch decorators had used Chinese porcelain to commemorate members of the House of Orange, it was part of a continuing tradition dating back to William the Silent (1533-1584) in which Orange-Nassau coats of arms and portraits were impressed or painted on German stoneware and delftware both in the Dutch Republic and England. (Espir 2005, pp.161-162)
Willem IV was the first hereditary 'stadhouder' of the Netherlands. On 14th March 1734 Prince William IV of Orange-Nassau married Princess Anne, the Royal Princess and Princess of Orange, eldest daughter of King George II of Great Britain and Caroline of Ansbach in the French Chapel at St. James's Palace attended by the royal family and four thousand guests. William and Anne had five children. (Espir 2005, p.163)
The source of the portrait of Prince William was perhaps a painting in 1733 by Jacob Schalken (1683-1733) of William in noble profile facing left wearing the sash and badge of the Order of the Garter and holding a heavy staff of office in his right hand. But a similar portrait was painted by Philips van Dyk in 1734 which was copied in mezzotint in 1735 by J. Faber and engraved by Ph. Endlig. As for Princess Anne, in 1734, Philip Mercier painted two portraits of her in a low cut heavily bejewelled dress, probably her wedding dress, with jewels in her hair. On one she is in profile wearing the diamond necklace, copied in mezzotint by J. Faber, and on the other she is turning to the front, but without the necklace, copied by an unknown engraver. The half-turned image with the necklace appears to be a combination of the two portraits but may derive from an as yet unidentified painting. (Espir 2005, p.164)
A copperplate engraving by Thomas Jefferys (1749-11799) of Prince William IV of Orange- Nassau (1711-1751) and Princess Anne of Hannover (1709-1759), mid-18th century. (source: Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, Objectnumber RP-P-1906-4264)
For similarly shaped, sized and over-decorated bowls, please see:
- Aziatische Ceramiek uit vijf eeuwen, (D.F. Lunsingh Scheurleer, exhibition catalogue of the J.M. van Diepen Collection, Fraeylemaborg, Slochteren 1977), p.105, cat. 312.
- La porcelaine des Compagnies des Indes a décor Occidental, (F. & N. Hervouët & Y. Bruneau, Flammarion - Pere Castor, Paris 1986), p.387, cat. 16.76.
- European Decoration on Oriental Porcelain 1700-1830, (H. Espir, Jorge Welsh Books, London, UK, 2005), pp.161-164, cat. 12.
- Have a Cup of Tea. Chinese Porcelain and Tea in North-West Germany, (Exhibition catalogue, Isensee Verlag, Oldenburg, 2015), p.133, cat. 123 / Made in China, Porzellan und Teekultur im Nordwesten, (Exhibition catalogue, Isensee Verlag, Oldenburg, 2015), p.167, cat. 123.
- The Helen Espir Collection of European Decorated Oriental Porcelain, auction catalogue Woolley & Wallis Salisbury, 12 November 2014, p.12, cat. 315
Condition: Restored.
References:
Lunsingh Scheurleer 1966, cat. 338
Lunsingh Scheurleer 1977, cat. 312
Espir 2005, pp.161-164 & cat. 12
Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, Objectnumber RP-P-1906-4264
Price: Sold.
Sold Ceramics - Sold Chinese wares over-decorated in the West 1700-1800 - Dutch over-decorated Amsterdams Bont - House of Orange - Page 1
Object 201015
Bowl
China
1740-1750, over-decorated in the Netherlands 1740-1760
Height 67 mm (2.64 inch), diameter of rim 143 mm (5.63 inch), diameter of footring 65 mm (2.56 inch)
Bowl on footring with steeply rounded sides and a straight rim. Decorated in underglaze blue with panels filled with flowering plants, round the rim (outer and inner) a diaper pattern border, on the base a flower spray. Over-decorated in iron red, black, gold and other overglaze enamels, in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont c.1740-1760 with the 'Cherry Picker' design a man in a windswept coat and black breeches standing on a ladder and picking fruit from heavy laden branches and a lady and a gentleman seated on a wall enjoying a basket of fruit in two large panels seperated by two smaller panels with a fisherman by a sentry house. On the bottom a flower basket with ribbons and insects and on the sides and rim flower sprays and stylized flower heads.
Although politically the Seven Provinces were united as a Republic, the House of Orange had many loyal supporters. Portraits and coats of arms of the princely couple may not have been the only form of pro-Orange propaganda. The very popular design on this teacup and saucer is known as 'The Cherry Picker' or 'The Apple Picker'. The pattern is in two parts: the man up the ladder gathering the fruit and the loving couple sitting enjoying the basket of fruit. Although many Dutch people today insist that the subject is simply an erotic story of stolen fruit, the size of the 'cheries' or 'apples' on the trees has led others, including W.W. Winkworth, Stephan Hartog and myself to question whether they could be oranges, and whether the couple although lacking the trappings of royalty, could represent Prince William and Princess Anne enjoying marital harmony. (Espir 2005, p.165)
Litzenbug states that this design was possibly inspired by the work of Jacopo Amigoni (1685-1752), whose engravings were widely copied onto European ceramics and Chinese export porcelain. Closely related variants are known on eighteenth-century Dutch earthenware. Similar scenes were painted by Nicolas Lancret (1690-1743), Jean Antoine Watteau (1684-1721), and François Boucher (1703-1770). (Litzenburg 2003, p.165 & p.261)
Groeneweg states that in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London the same 'Cherry Picker' design - as on this bowl - is already found on a Dutch Delftware spittoon, dated on the rim "1747" and marked "MVP". (V&A inv. C.23371910).
Espir states that the design is traditionally thought to be merely an erotic allusion to stolen fruit. Another theory is that the fruit in the tree are actually oranges, and the figures are actually Willem IV and Anne of Hanover Princess Royal, and Princess of Orange.
Bowls with these combined designs executed in Amsterdams Bont are not rare in the Netherlands the quality of the decoration is not often very refined.
For other objects over-decorated with both designs, please see:
- La porcelaine des Compagnies des Indes a décor Occidental, (F. & N. Hervouët & Y. Bruneau, Flammarion - Pere Castor, Paris 1986), p.371, cat. 16.25.
- Chinese Export Porcelain in the Reeves Center Collection at Washington and Lee University, (Th. V. Litzenburg, London 2003), p.165, cat. 160.
- European Decoration on Oriental Porcelain 1700-1830, (H. Espir, Jorge Welsh Books, London, UK, 2005), p.165, cat. 13.
- The Helen Espir Collection of European Decorated Oriental Porcelain, auction catalogue Woolley & Wallis Salisbury, 12 November 2014, p.15, cat. 320
Condition: Perfect.
References:
Goldsmith Phillips 1956, plate 60
Beurdeley 1962, Fig. 27, 28 & 29
Lunsingh Scheurleer 1966, cat. 204
Hervouët 1986, cat. 4.23, 16.21 & 16.233
Lunsingh Scheurleer 1989, cat. 191
Litzenburg 2003, p.165 & p.261 & cat 160
Wallis Salisbury 2014, cat. 320
Price: Sold.
Sold Ceramics - Sold Chinese wares over-decorated in the West 1700-1800 - Dutch over-decorated Amsterdams Bont - House of Orange - Page 1
Object 2011421
Teacup and saucer
China
1740-1750, over-decorated in the Netherlands 1740-1760
Height of teacup 38 mm (1.49 inch), diameter of rim 60 mm (2.36 inch), diameter of footring 35 mm (1.38 inch)
Height of saucer 27 mm (1.06 inch), diameter of rim 107 mm (4.21 inch), diameter of footring 61 mm (2.40 inch)
Teacup and saucer on footrings, straight rims. Blanc de Chine. Polychrome over-decorated in iron-red, black, gold and other enamels in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1740-1760 with a man in a windswept coat and black breeches standing on a ladder holding a basket and picking fruit from heavy laden branches. Round the rim a border with flower heads and foliage. The reverse is undecorated. The teacup is decorated en suite.
Although politically the Seven Provinces were united as a Republic, the House of Orange had many loyal supporters. Portraits and coats of arms of the princely couple may not have been the only form of pro-Orange propaganda. The very popular design on this teacup and saucer is known as 'The Cherry Picker' or 'The Apple Picker'. The pattern is in two parts: the man up the ladder gathering the fruit and the loving couple sitting enjoying the basket of fruit. Although many Dutch people today insist that the subject is simply an erotic story of stolen fruit, the size of the 'cheries' or 'apples' on the trees has led others, including W.W. Winkworth, Stephan Hartog and myself to question whether they could be oranges. (Espir 2005, p.165)
Litzenbug states that this design was possibly inspired by the work of Jacopo Amigoni (1685-1752), whose engravings were widely copied onto European ceramics and Chinese export porcelain. Closely related variants are known on eighteenth-century Dutch earthenware. Similar scenes were painted by Nicolas Lancret (1690-1743), Jean Antoine Watteau (1684-1721), and François Boucher (1703-1770). (Litzenburg 2003, p.165 & p.261)
Groeneweg states that in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London the same the 'Cherry Picker' design - as on this teacup and saucer - is already found on a Dutch Delftware spittoon, dated on the rim "1747" and marked "MVP". (V&A inv. C.23371910).
Condition:
Teacup: A fleabite to the rim.
Saucer: A hairline and a shallow frit to the rim.
References:
Goldsmith Phillips 1956, plate 60
Lunsingh Scheurleer 1966, cat. 205
Hervouët 1986, cat. 4.23 & 16.25
Lunsingh Scheurleer 1989, cat. 191
Litzenburg 2003, cat. 160 & 264
Price: Sold.
Sold Imari Designs
Japanese porcelain was made and decorated at Arita. the terms 'Imari' and 'Kakiemon' define the different styles of decoration that had developed in Japanese export porcelain by the 1680s. Imari in the name of the port in Hizen province from which the porcelain was shipped to Nagasaki for export and Imari decoration consists mainly of a combination of dark underglaze blue with a rich mixture of patterns in Japanese style dominated by red and gold. Kakiemon is the name of a family of enamellers at Arita and in this context defines a small number of patterns and motifs painted in a restricted palette that were copied from the Japanese by the Dutch enamellers, and later at Meissen, Chantilly, Chelsea and other European factories.
Auction records of the East India Company in London show that higher prices were paid for Japanese than for Chinese porcelain reflecting the prices charged by the Japanese potters,
The demand for Japanese porcelain was strong but production was restricted so here was a gap in the market that the enameller could fill most profitably by giving Chinese porcelain a Japanese look.
The simplest way of transforming Chinese porcelain into ''Japanese" was to enhance Chinese blue-and-white porcelain with red and gold to create the appearance of Imari. Tea, chocolate and coffee wares were commonly enhanced in this fashion and although it typifies 'Amsterdams Bont', sherds have been found in London making it difficult to distinguish between Dutch and English over-decoration. (Espir 2005, pp.73-74)
Object 2011974
Bowl
China
1730-1750, over-decorated in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1730-1760
Height 71 mm (2.80 inch), diameter of rim 150 mm (5.91 inch), diameter of footring 55 mm (2.17 inch), weight 260 grams (9.17 ounce (oz.)),
Bowl on footring with steeply rounded sides and a straight underglaze brown-edged rim (jia mangkou). Decorated in underglaze blue with three clusters of flowering plants. Around the rim a border of folded leaves. On the bottom, a single flower spray in a double concentric band. Over-decorated in iron-red, black and gold and overglaze green enamel, in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont c.1730-1760 with around the foot a zig-zag lines-pattern border and near the foot a spiral-pattern border. On the outside three huntsmen with a rifle in one hand and a shot bird or a hunting horn in the other alternate with flowering scrolls. On the inside three huntsmen with a rifle in one hand and a shot bird or a hunting horn in the other alternate with a running dog. On the bottom, a basket filled with flowering plants and hanging ribbons.
Hunting wild animal for sport and pleasure was for centuries the prerogative of rulers and the nobility who devoted much time and passion to their pursuit.
Dutch over-decorated Amsterdams Bont 'Hunting' scenes can, according to Espir, be categorized as 'Subjects with no datable context' other subjects in this category are; Flowers, Whaling, Daily Life, Landscapes and Religion. (Espir 2005, p.11 & p.184)
For a dish with a splendid Dutch over-decorated Amsterdams Bont Hunting scene, please see:
Condition: Some firing flaws to the base and inner footring, some tiny fleabites and a frit to the rim.
References:
Espir 2005, p.11, p.184 & cat. 37
Price: Sold.
Sold Ceramics - Sold Chinese wares over-decorated in the West 1700-1800 - Dutch over-decorated Amsterdams Bont - Imari Designs - Page 1
Object 2010111
Bowl
China
1720-1740, over-decorated in the Netherlands 1730-1760
Height 73 mm (2.87 inch), diameter of rim 140 mm (5.51 inch), diameter of footring 65 mm (2.56 inch)
Bowl on footring with steeply rounded sides and an underglaze brown-edged rim (jia mangkou). Decorated in underglaze blue with a feng-huang in flight, on the base a single flower spray. Over-decorated in iron-red, black, gold and other overglaze enamels, in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont c.1730-1760 with on the footring a zi-zag lines patter border, just above the footringa border with cartouches and reserves each filled with a single flower head. On the outside three panels filled with a 'bridal' decoration, the first panel is filled with a man holding flowers, the second with a woman holding flowers and the third with a couple holding hands and flowers. In between the panels a decoration of a feng-huang or a Chinese phoenix in flight. On the bottom a basket with tassels, filled with flowering plants. On the sides three flowering stems and flowering scrolls alternating with three little dancing boys in Dutch 'zotjes' holding flowers. Marked on the base with the symbol mark: 'Endless knot', in a double circle, underglaze blue.
The feng-huang, also called feng or (misleadingly) Chinese phoenix, is in Chinese mythology, an immortal bird whose rare appearance is said to be an omen foretelling harmony at the ascent to the throne of a new emperor. Like the qilin (a unicorn-like creature), the feng-huang is often considered to signify both male and female elements, a yin-yang harmony; its name is a combination of the words feng representing the male aspect and huang the female. (Wikipedia), (Britannica Online Encyclopaedia)
For an identically, shaped, sized and over-decorated bowl, please see:
Condition: Perfect.
References:
Britannica Online Encyclopaedia
Price: Sold.
Sold Ceramics - Sold Chinese wares over-decorated in the West 1700-1800 - Dutch over-decorated Amsterdams Bont - Imari Designs - Page 1
Object 2010110
Bowl
China
1730-1750, over-decorated in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1730-1760
Height 73 mm (2.87 inch), diameter of rim 146 mm (5.74 inch), diameter of footring 60 mm (2.36 inch)
Bowl on footring, straight underglaze brown-edged rim (jia mangkou). Decorated in underglaze blue with various flower spays. On the base a flower spray in a central roundel, round the inner rim a border with leaves and flower heads on an underglaze blue ground. Over-decorated in iron-red, black and gold and overglaze green enamel, in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont c.1730-1760 with round the footring a zig-zag lines-pattern border and around the footring a spiral-pattern border. On the outside a little dancing boy in Dutch 'zotje' and a man dressed in European clothes holding a walking-cane alternating with groups of flowering plants near a fence. On the bottom a peony flower spray and on the sides small lotus flower heads alternating with chrysanthemum and lotus flower heads with foliage.
For an identically, shaped, sized and over-decorated bowl, please see:
Condition: Two very tiny fleabites to the inner rim.
References:
Price: Sold.
Sold Ceramics - Sold Chinese wares over-decorated in the West 1700-1800 - Dutch over-decorated Amsterdams Bont - Imari Designs - Page 1
Object 2011700
Bowl
China
1730-1750, overdecorated in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1730-1760
Height 55 mm (2.17 inch), diameter of rim 102 mm (4.02 inch), diameter of footring 43 mm (1.69 inch), weight 96 grams (3.39 ounce (oz.))
Bowl on footring with steeply rounded sides flaring towards a slightly everted rim. Decorated in underglaze blue with with a continuous river scene with mountains, pagodas, rocks and trees. Over-decorated in iron-red, black, gold and other overglaze enamels, in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1730-1760 with a boy leading a dog on a leash. On the bottom a flower basket with ribbons and round the inner rim a border of half flower heads.
The Amsterdams Bont decoration of the boy with the dog playing with a dog on a leash is rare and interesting. In the exhibition catalogue, Eastern Ceramics and other works of art from the collection of Gerald Reitlinger, from the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford a Japanese ko-Imari bowl with a similarly decoration of a boy carrying a sheaf of corn on his back while playing with a dog on a leash (accession number 1978.578), is dated to the first half of the 18th century. Impey illustrates a Japanese bowl in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, Reitlinger gift (accession number 1978.536), similarly decorated with a boy this time holding puppy, to the 19th century. A third similarly decorated bowl, dated 1700-1725, can be found in the Chinese ceramics collection of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, (objectnummer BK-1968-247), (Oxford 1981, p.86, cat 233), (Impey 2002, p.248, cat. 440)
Condition: A fleabite to the rim.
References:
Price: Sold.
Sold Ceramics - Sold Chinese wares over-decorated in the West 1700-1800 - Dutch over-decorated Amsterdams Bont - Imari Designs - Page 1
Object 2011508
Tea caddy
China
1720-1740, over-decorated in the Netherlands 1730-1760
Height excluding cover 105 mm (4.10 inch), dimensions 95 mm (3.71 inch) x 55 mm (2.17 inch), weight including cover 370 grams (13.05 ounce (oz.))
Rectangular tea caddy with canted corners on a flat, unglazed, base. On the flat top an unglazed cylindrical mouth. The original cover is missing. Fitted with Dutch silver mounts (marked). Decorated in underglaze blue around the foot and shoulder with a border of folded leaves with reserves filled with a floret between scrolls. On the flat top two groups of taihu (garden) rock with flowering plants. Over-decorated in The Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont c.1730-1760, in iron-red, black, gold and other overglaze enamels, between the two underglaze blue borders with scattered flower heads on an iron-red ground with a crackled-ice motif in gold and a large shaped panel filled with flower spray alternating with a smaller shaped panel filed with a river scape. On the flat top the cylindrical mouth is flanked by various flower sprays.
The prunus blossoms on crackled ice was a new decorating method on early Kangxi porcelain and together symbolised the end of Winter and the beginning of Spring. The Amsterdams Bont decorator used the crackled-ice motif here to create an Oriental effect, the chinoiserie. Curious detail is the slightly of centre placing of the filling opening. (Hartog 1990, p.149)
Condition: A few popped bubbles of glaze to the edges, a short hairline to the neck and some wear to the blue enamel.
Reference:
Price: Sold.
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Object 2011398
Saucer
China
1735-1745, over-decorated in the Netherlands 1735-1760
Height 20 mm (0.79 inch), diameter of rim 120 mm (4.72 inch), diameter of footring 70 mm (2.76 inch), weight 61 grams (2.15 ounce (oz.))
Saucer on footring, straight rim. Decorated with overglaze green and white enamel flowering plants growing from a taihu (garden) rock. Over-decorated in the Netherlands 1735-1745, with iron-red and gold with, with a single butterfly, (carefully positioned on the original taihu (garden) rock and gilded panels and borders. The reverse is undecorated.
Technically a fascinating saucer, it seems that the original decoration has tried to be burned of before it was over-decorated in the Netherlands 1735-1760, with an iron-red and gold with red-edged gilt decoration fashioned like petals, and the butterflies were not applied by the hand of a Chinese artist. It is an artistic addition of enamel paint, executed in the Netherlands. Complete tea services with the decoration shown here exist, parts of which one can find in several European collections, but also in the Topkapi Palave Museum in Istanbul. (Suebsman 2019, p.117)
Polychrome enamelled porcelains, in particular gilt-enamelled wares were much more costly when bought in China than blue-and-white or undecorated pieces. Even more expensive were porcelains made to order, for which the trader had been given the drawing or the print of a pattern by a customer to take to China, so that he could receive the finished pieces with desired decoration roughly a year later. Some traders from Amsterdam hit upon the idea to buy undecorated ware of wares with only spare blue decoration at a reasonable price and have these decorated or over-decorated in the Netherlands. Up to now, the workshops where these later European decorations were carried out have not been identified but could possibly have been faience workshops in Delft, which had skilled ceramic painters and where also the necessary kilns for firing were available. In collectors' jargon, these porcelains, decorated in Europe but probably often sold to buyers as original Chinese wares, are called Amsterdams Bont (coloured ware from Amsterdam) or clobbered ware. (Suebsman 2019, p.116)
For an originally Chinese decorated object, please see:
- China for the West. Chinese Porcelain and other Decorative Arts for Export illustrated from the Mottahedeh Collection, (D.S. Howard & J. Ayers, Philip Wilson Publishers for Sotheby Parke Bernet Publications, London 1978), vol. 1, p.165, cat. 153.
- Chinese export porcelain in North America, (J. McClure Mudge, Riverside Book Company, Inc., New York, 2000), page 122, object 184.
Condition: Two popped bubbles of glaze caused by the firing process to the rim.
References:
Howard & Ayers 1978, vol. 1, cat. 153
Price: Sold.
Sold Ceramics - Sold Chinese wares over-decorated in the West 1700-1800 - Dutch over-decorated Amsterdams Bont - Imari Designs - Page 1
Object 2010805
Teacup and saucer
China
1730-1740, over-decorated in the Netherlands 1730-1760
Height of teacup 45 mm (1.77 inch), diameter of rim 82 mm (3.23 inch), diameter of footring 32 mm (1.26 inch)
Height of saucer 24 mm (0.94 inch), diameter of rim 131 mm (5.16 inch), diameter of footring 76 mm (2.99 inch)
Teacup and saucer on footrings, slightly everted rims. Teacup and saucer both delicately incised with a fine petal-type pattern into the porcelain. Decorated in underglaze blue with a central diaper-pattern border with reserves filled with flower heads, round the rim another diaper-pattern border with reserves filled with flower heads. Over-decorated in the Netherlands 1730-1760, with iron-red and gold with a single butterfly in a central roundel and gilded panels and borders. The teacup is decorated en suite.
The simple beauty of the incised petal-type pattern which is just visible, incised in Chinese anhua 'secret' decoration has been ignored and painted over.
In the late 19th century European decorated oriental porcelain was called 'clobbered', a word that came into the English language in the mid-19th century meaning as a noun, 'a black paste used by clobbers to fill up and conceal cracks in leather', and as a verb, 'to patch up, to cobble'. Later it was applied to old clothes meaning 'to renovate' and by the 19th century it was it was applied to porcelain. In 1900, F.Litchfield stated, 'There is a description of Chinese known as clobbered .... overpainted with ....ornament ..... sold for decorated oriental China.' It was a derogatory term meaning that the European decorator had plastered his style of decoration all over the pot with total disregard for the original which was the case in much Chinese blue-and-white over-decorated in the early 19th century and which are to blame for the poor reputation of these wares ever since.
The sophistication of this style of Chinese decoration on ordinary everyday wares was apparently not appreciated in Europe at the time and many of the blue and white plates, bowls and teacups and saucers that were over-decorated have carved or incised anhua decoration. As it cannot be seen to clash with the European decoration I would not call it clobbered. (Espir 2005, pp. 74-75)
The incised pattern is barely discernible to the naked eye unless the ware is held up to the light. The incised recesses have been filled with a transparent glaze to create a flat surface. The Chinese call this technique anhua (hidden decoration). The red-edged gilt decoration fashioned like petals, and the butterflies were not applied by the hand of a Chinese artist. It is an artistic addition of enamal paint, executed in the Netherlands. Complete tea services with the decoration shown here exist, parts of which one can find in several European collections, but also in the Topkapi Palave Museum in Istanbul. (Emden 2015/1, p.132, cat. 122, Suebsman 2019, p.117)
Polychrome enamelled porcelains, in particular gilt-enamelled wares were much more costly when bought in China than blue-and-white or undecorated pieces. Even more expensive were porcelains made to order, for which the trader had been given the drawing or the print of a pattern by a customer to take to China, so that he could receive the finished pieces with desired decoration roughly a year later. Some traders from Amsterdam hit upon the idea to buy undecorated ware of wares with only spare blue decoration at a reasonable price and have these decorated or over-decorated in the Netherlands. Up to now, the workshops where these later European decorations were carried out have not been identified but could possibly have been faience workshops in Delft, which had skilled ceramic painters and where also the necessary kilns for firing were available. In collectors' jargon, these porcelains, decorated in Europe but probably often sold to buyers as original Chinese wares, are called Amsterdams Bont (coloured ware from Amsterdam) or clobbered ware. (Suebsman 2019, p.116)
For originally Chinese decorated objects, please see:
- China for the West. Chinese Porcelain and other Decorative Arts for Export illustrated from the Mottahedeh Collection, (D.S. Howard & J. Ayers, Philip Wilson Publishers for Sotheby Parke Bernet Publications, London 1978), vol. 1, p.165, cat. 153.
- Chinese export porcelain in North America, (J. McClure Mudge, Riverside Book Company, Inc., New York, 2000), page 122, object 184.
For an identically over-decorated teacup and saucer, please see:
- Have a Cup of Tea. Chinese Porcelain and Tea in North-West Germany, (Exhibition catalogue, Isensee Verlag, Oldenburg, 2015), p.132, cat. 122 / Made in China, Porzellan und Teekultur im Nordwesten, (Exhibition catalogue, Isensee Verlag, Oldenburg, 2015), p.166, cat. 122.
- Melk en Bloed. Exquisite porcelain from the Middle Kingdom, (D. Suebsman, Norden 2019), pp.116-117, cat. 55.
For originally Chinese over-decorated objects, please see:
- Chineesche Ceramiek. Handboek. Geschreven naar aanleiding van de verzameling in het museum het Princessehof te Leeuwarden, (N. Ottema, N.V. Drukkerij en Uitgeverij J.H. de Bussy, Amsterdam 1943), p.215, cat. 254.
- Chinese export porcelain in North America, (J. McClure Mudge, Riverside Book Company, Inc., New York, 2000), page 122, object 184.
Condition:
Teacup: A shallow glaze chip and frit to the rim.
Saucer: Perfect.
References:
Howard & Ayers 1978, vol. 1, cat. 153
Price: Sold.
Sold Kakiemon Designs
The finest Kakiemon porcelains were enamelled on very white clay in a palette of translucent blue, yellow. blue-green, red and black enamels and gold. The composition, the range of motifs and the delicacy of the painting in a restricted palette all contribute to a distinctive style which is instantly recognisable. Many of the subjects of the design, especially the birds and the flowers, originated in China but had subsequently been absorbed into Japanese art. (Espir 2005, p.78)
While underglaze blue was perfectly suited to Imari over-decoration it added nothing to Kakiemon only constraining it within its borders, but it seems that an attempt was made by the Dutch decorators to widen the market for Kakiemon by modifying the style to fit the more common blue-and-white porcelain. As only a few of the larger items such as teapots, stands, slopbowls and milk jugs remain, and teabowls and saucers are very rare, one can only conclude that the attempt was unsuccessful. (Espir 2005, p.91)
Sold Ceramics - Sold Chinese wares over-decorated in the West 1700-1800 - Dutch over-decorated Amsterdams Bont - Kakiemon Designs - Page 1
Object 2012188
Dish
China
1730-1750, over-decorated in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1730-1760
Height 30 mm (0.91 inch), diameter of rim 165 mm (6.50 inch), diameter of footring 84 mm (3.31 inch), weight 183 grams (6.46 ounce (oz.))
Dish on footring, slightly everted rim. Undecorated. Over-decorated, in a Kakiemon-style, in iron-red, black, green and other overglaze enamels, in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1730-1760 with an underglaze brown-edged rim, in the centre a flowering branch in between two brushwood fences and two birds in flight. On the sides two wide spread groups of flowering prunus, pine and bamboo plants issuing from a rocky mound. The reverse is undecorated. Marked on the base with, pseudo-Chinese characters painted in overglaze iron-red.
Decorated with a stylised rendering of the 'Three Friends' pattern round the border. This in combined with a central pattern in which Kakiemon features are combined in an un-Japanese way, filling the space but without the Japanese sense of space being part of the composition. While the banded hedge, the birds and bamboo leaves are in classic Kakiemon style, the strange bold flowers have no readily traceable Japanese counterpart and seem rather to be a European invention which combines elements of a pomegranate fruit and a hibiscus flower. This pattern with variations according to the size of the object, is known on several plates, dishes and a bowl in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford and the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The dishes in the Ashmolean Museum have a decorator's mark of pseudo Chinese characters in red enamel on the base indicating that they were decorated in the same workshop. (Espir 2005, pp.87-88)
The hedge of rice straw, known as a 'banded hedge' because of the ties binding it together, is one of the trademarks of Kakiemon design as are flying and perching birds, tigers and the bamboo leaves on the ground, Tigers both fierce and playful, feature prominently in kakiemon designs. Painted in yellow, red and blue with black-stripes, they crouch and snarl and prepare to leap after prey such as the bird perched on the bamboo tree. (Espir 2005, p.82)
The four pseudo-Chinese characters on the base are, most likely, made up by the Dutch Amsterdams Bont over-decorator. Important was to create an Oriental effect, the 'chinoiserie'.
For an identically, over-decorated in Kakiemon style, dish, please see:
Condition: A shallow glaze frit to the reverse rim.
Reference:
Espir 2005, p.82, pp.87-88 & cat.19
Price: Sold.
Sold Ceramics - Sold Chinese wares over-decorated in the West 1700-1800 - Dutch over-decorated Amsterdams Bont - Kakiemon Designs - Page 1
Object 2011619
Spoon or leak tray
China
1730-1750, over-decorated in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1730-1760
Height 22 mm (0.86 inch), dimensions 152 mm (5.98 inch) x 87 mm (3.42 inch), weight 132 grams (4.66 ounce (oz.))
Leaf shaped spoon or leak tray with lobed sides and an underglaze brown-edged (jia mangkou) rim, on a smooth, unglazed base. Decorated in underglaze blue with a stylised border round the bottom and on the lobbed sides. On the outside flower sprays. Over-decorated in iron-red, black, gold and other overglaze enamels, in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1730-1760. Decorated with floral sprays and two diaper pattern borders with a single reserve filled with a flower head between scrolls. Over-decorated in a Kakiemon-style with bamboo, an enlarged branch of a flowering peony tree, a shishi and a bird perched on the branch of a flowering prunus tree growing from a brushwood fence. On the exterior flower sprays with birds in flight. On the base an old rectangular paper label.
While underglaze blue was perfectly suited to Imari over-decoration it added nothing to Kakiemon only constraining it within its borders, but it seems that an attempt was made by the Dutch decorators to widen the market for Kakiemon by modifying the style to fit the more common blue-and-white porcelain. As only a few of the larger items such as teapots, stands, slopbowls and milk jugs remain, and teabowls and saucers are very rare, one can only conclude that the attempt was unsuccessful. (Espir 2005, p.91)
The hedge of rice straw, known as a 'banded hedge' because of the ties binding it together, is one of the trademarks of Kakiemon design as are flying and perching birds, tigers and the bamboo leaves on the ground, Tigers both fierce and playful, feature prominently in kakiemon designs. Painted in yellow, red and blue with black-stripes, they crouch and snarl and prepare to leap after prey such as the bird perched on the bamboo tree. (Espir 2005, p.82)
This brushwood fence, made up of bundles of twigs tied together is frequently combined with a bamboo trellis, an enlarged branch of a flowering peony tree and a shishi. It is a motif that occurs frequently on Kakiemon, and one which evidently appealed greatly to the European consumer, given the fact that it is often seen on European imitations of Kakiemon. (Fitski 2011, p.148)
A spoon or leak tray was used to protect the surface of luxurious lacquer or painted tea tables, against the influence of a hot teapot or drops running from its spout. If, in certain circles, a special tea table was not at hand it served to protect the furniture or its valuable table-cloth from tea spots. (Volker 1959)
For an identically shaped, sized and over-decorated in Kakiemon style spoon or leak tray, please see:
Condition: Some shallow glaze rough spots to the rim and edges.
References:
Price: Sold.
Sold Ceramics - Sold Chinese wares over-decorated in the West 1700-1800 - Dutch over-decorated Amsterdams Bont - Kakiemon Designs - Page 1
Object 2012300
Bowl
China
1730-1750, over-decorated in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1730-1760
Height 83 mm (3.27 inch), diameter of rim 185 mm (7.28 inch), diameter of footring 72 mm (2.83 inch), weight 447 grams (15.77 ounce (oz.))
Bowl on footring with spreading sides and flaring rim. Undecorated. Over-decorated, in Kakiemon style, in iron-red, gold and black, blue, yellow, green and grey overglaze enamels, in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1730-1760 with three fruit-shaped reserves decorated with a Chinese character, a riverscape and a lion in gold on an underglaze brown ground the reserves are flanked by a long-tailed bird perched on a branch of a flowering tree growing from rockwork, a flowering prunus growing from rockwork and a flowering peony growing from rockwork. Inside scattered flower sprays on the sides and a flowering chrysanthemum spray on the bottom.
The Dutch over-decorator combined and adapted Kakiemon patterns to the shape and surface of this bowl.
It shows that the Dutch enamellers achieved high quality Kakiemon-style decorations on plain white Chinese porcelain.
Condition: A firing flaw to the footring and some spots with chipped of glaze to the rim.
Price: Sold.
Sold Famille Verte Designs
Very few examples copying famille verte porcelains are known suggesting that there was a plentiful supply of Chinese originals and that there was therefore no gap in the market for the European decorators to fill. As Dutch and English decorators copied so few famille verte pieces it is tempting to allocate all the European decorated pieces which have a predominantly green palette to the famille verte style even though they may hardly resemble the Chinese originals. (Espir 2005, pp.97-102)
Sold Ceramics - Sold Chinese wares over-decorated in the West 1700-1800 - Dutch over-decorated Amsterdams Bont - Famille Verte Designs - Page 1
Object 2011170
Tea caddy China
1730-1750, over-decorated in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1730-1760
Height with cover 132 mm (5.20 inch), height without cover 109 mm (4.29 inch), dimensions 66 mm (2.60 inch) x 66 mm (2.60 inch)
Tea caddy of square form with canted corners. Four flat feet at the corners. A flat shoulder and a short upright neck. Fitted with marked Dutch silver mounts. Decorated in underglaze blue, around the foot and the shoulder a diaper pattern border with reserves filled with flower heads. On the flat shoulder, in each corner, a leafy flower head. Over-decorated in iron-red, black, gold and overglaze green enamel, in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont c.1730-1760. On the foot and shoulder a diaper pattern border with reserves filled with flower heads. All sides incised with a floral decoration and over-decorated with a basket filled with flowering plants, each canted corner with a flowering tree. On the flat shoulder in each corner flowering plants, the edge is decorated with a cracked-ice motif. Marked on the base with, most pseudo-Chinese characters painted in overglaze iron-red. The silver marks explained: the Lion Rampant is the silver guarantee mark (.875), the sword mark was used (1814-1905) as the standard mark on articles too small for the full hallmarking.
The four pseudo-Chinese characters on the base are, most likely, made up by the Dutch Amsterdams Bont over-decorator. Important was to create an Oriental effect, the 'chinoiserie'. What makes this object interesting is that the Amsterdams Bont over-decoration is painted right over a chip to the neck and a glaze rough spot to the edge. These two damages were, most likely, caused after the first firing of the tea-caddy and before the second Amsterdams Bont over decoration firing, the crackled-ice pattern over the edge does not appear to be consistent.
For a similarly in Kakiemon style over-decorated tea caddy, please see:
Condition: A chip to the shoulder and some rough spots the edges.
References:
Price: Sold.
Sold Ceramics - Sold Chinese wares over-decorated in the West 1700-1800 - Dutch over-decorated Amsterdams Bont - Famille Verte Designs - Page 1
Object 2011039
Milk jug
China
1720-1730, over-decorated in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1730-1760
Height with cover 134 mm (5.28 inch), height without cover 103 mm (4.05 inch), diameter 77 mm (3.03 inch), diameter of mouthrim 40 mm (1.57 inch), diameter of footring 47 mm (1.85 inch), weight with cover 233 grams (8.22 ounce (oz.)), weight cover 36 grams (1.27 ounce (oz.))
Milk jug on footring, pear shaped body with handle, small triangular spout at the rim. The C-shaped handle is placed opposite the spout. Domed cover with round knob. Jug and cover with carved anhua (secret) floral decoration. Decorated in various famille verte enamels with around the foot and the mouthrim a border with flower heads reserved on a frogs' spawn ground and reserves filled with flowering plants. The spout is decorated with a single flower spray on the handle two flower sprays. Round the rim of the cover a border with flower heads reserved on a frogs' spawn ground and reserves filled with flowering plants, round the base of the knob, a lotus leaves-pattern border. Over-decorated in iron-red and gold in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont c.1730-1760 with a large bird perched on a fence with a flowering chrysanthemum and other plants growing from behind the fence. On the cover over-decorated with two flowering stems and two half flower heads.
Anhua is a Chinese term meaning 'secret or hidden decoration', it is incised or carved into the body below the glaze. (Espir 2005, p.254)
Condition: A chip to the tip of the spout.
Reference:
Price: Sold.
Sold Ceramics - Sold Chinese wares over-decorated in the West 1700-1800 - Dutch over-decorated Amsterdams Bont - Famille Verte Designs - Page 1
Object 2010987
Bowl
China
1730-1750, over-decorated in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1730-1760
Height 65 mm (2.56 inch), diameter of rim 146 mm (5.75 inch), diameter of footring 64 mm (2.51 inch), weight 298 grams (10.51 ounce (oz.))
Bowl on footring with steeply rounded sides and a straight underglaze brown-edged rim (jia mangkou). Decorated in underglaze blue with a foliate scroll, round the rim four reserves filled with flower heads on a honeycomb-pattern ground. On the base a single flower heads with leaves in a single concentric band. Over-decorated in iron-red, black, gold and other overglaze enamels, in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1730-1760 with outlined panels filled with a figure facing left, carrying a knapsack, standing between bushes on a shore, with hills in the background alternating with outlined panels filled with a basket on a low table filled with flowering plants. On the inner wall flower heads with leafy scrolls alternating with insects in flight. On the bottom a border with four reserves filled with flowers on a trellis pattern ground. On the base a maker/shop mark in underglaze blue.
Condition: Two firing flaws to the base, two fleabites and a hairline to the rim.
Reference:
Price: Sold.
Sold Famille Rose Designs
Sold Ceramics - Sold Chinese wares over-decorated in the West 1700-1800 - Dutch over-decorated Amsterdams Bont - Famille Rose Designs - Page 1
Object 2012133
Bowl
China
1730-1750, over-decorated in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1730-1760
Height 69 mm (2.72 inch), diameter of rim 144 mm (5.67 inch), diameter of footring 68 mm (2.68 inch), weight 291 grams (10.26 ounce (oz.))
Bowl on footring with steeply rounded sides and a straight underglaze brown-edged rim (jia mangkou). Carved anhua (secret) floral decoration. Decorated in underglaze blue with zig-zag lines pattern borders round the bottom and rim. On the base a single flower spray in a double concentric band. Over-decorated in iron-red, black, gold and other overglaze enamels, in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1730-1760 with a wide spread river scene and two men standing near a waterfront with houses and a tower watching sailing boats on the water, on the opposite side of the water a fortress with a tower this scene alternates with a couple seated on a fence in a garden landscape eating fruit from a basket. On the bottom four groups of flowering peonies. The central representation is surrounded by an x-pattern border and five single flowering peonies on the inner wall.
Anhua is a Chinese term meaning 'secret or hidden decoration', it is incised or carved into the body below the glaze. (Espir 2005, p.254)
It has been suggested that the couple, although lacking the trappings of royalty, could represent Willem IV and Anne of Hanover Princess Royal, and Princess of Orange. Prince William and Princess Anne enjoying marital harmony. (Espir 2005, p.165)
Condition: A restored frit with a connected hairline to the rim..
References:
Jörg & Van Campen 1997, cat. 91 & 116
Price: Sold.
Sold Ceramics - Sold Chinese wares over-decorated in the West 1700-1800 - Dutch over-decorated Amsterdams Bont - Famille Rose Designs - Page 1
Object 2011922
Bowl
China
1730-1750, over-decorated in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1730-1760
Height 72 mm (2.83 inch), diameter of rim 148 mm (5.83 inch), diameter of footring 61 mm (2.40 inch), weight 291 grams (10.26 ounce (oz.))
Bowl on footring with a straight underglaze brown-edged rim (jia mangkou). Carved anhua (secret) floral decoration. Decorated in underglaze blue with two diaper pattern borders one near the foorting the other round the rim. On the bottom a flower head in a double concentric band. Over-decorated in iron-red, black, gold and other overglaze enamels, in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1730-1760 with two wide spread peony plants and two birds perched on the branches. On the interior wall insects in flight alternating with peony flower sprays. On the bottom three clusters of flower sprays originating from a flower head in gold.
Anhua is a Chinese term meaning 'secret or hidden decoration', it is incised or carved into the body below the glaze. (Espir 2005, p.254)
Espir describes an identically shaped and sized and almost identically decorated bowl as 'decorated in famille verte palette but famille rose style' for this Dutch over-decorated Amsterdams Bont bowl, please see:
Condition: A tiny fleabite to the rim.
References:
Espir 2005, p.103 cat. 37 & p.254
Price: Sold.
Sold Ceramics - Sold Chinese wares over-decorated in the West 1700-1800 - Dutch over-decorated Amsterdams Bont - Famille Rose Designs - Page 1
Object 2012268
Bowl
China
1730-1750, over-decorated in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1730-1760
Height 73 mm (2.87 inch), diameter of rim 150 mm (5.91 inch), diameter of footring 59 mm (2.32 inch), weight 268 grams (9.45 ounce (oz.))
Bowl on footring with a straight underglaze brown-edged rim (jia mangkou). Carved anhua (secret) decoration of leafy branches. Decorated in underglaze blue with two diaper pattern borders one near the foorting the other round the rim. On the bottom a flower head in a single concentric band. Over-decorated in iron-red, black, gold and other overglaze enamels, in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1730-1760 with two figures in a landscape with trees, bushes, a pond and a house. One figure is sitting under a tree his elbow resting on his leg while his hand is supporting his head. The other figure is approaching while holding a stick, his scarf is being blown up by the wind.
The impression of the over-decoration on this bowl is clearly of famille verte. Very few examples copying famille verte porcelains are known suggesting that there was a plentiful supply of Chinese originals and that there was therefore no gap in the market for the European decorators to fill. As Dutch and English decorators copied so few famille verte pieces it is tempting to allocate all the European decorated pieces which have a predominantly green palette to the famille verte style even though they may hardly resemble the Chinese originals. (Espir 2005, pp.97-102)
Anhua is a Chinese term meaning 'secret or hidden decoration', it is incised or carved into the body below the glaze. (Espir 2005, p.254)
For a similarly Dutch over-decorated Amsterdams Bont covered bowl, formerly in the Helen Espir collection, please see:
Condition: Two hairlines to the rim.
References:
Price: Sold.
Object 2012440
Dish
China
1730-1750, over-decorated in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1730-1760
Height 33 mm (1.30 inch), diameter of rim 232 mm (9.13 inch), diameter of footring 128 mm (5.04 inch), weight 379 grams (13.37 ounce (oz.)),
Dish on a footring with a glazed base and a flattened rim. decorated in underglaze blue with a a roundel filled with a central flower head and leafy scrolls surrounded by six carved anhua (secret) issuing flowering lotus plants. Round the rim a diaper-pattern border. Over-decorated in iron-red, gold and overglaze green, black, pink and yellow enamel, in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont c.1730-1760 with a jardinière filled with leafy flowering plants and ribbons. On the sides two large birds alternating with flower sprays. The reverse is undecorated.
Anhua is a Chinese term meaning 'secret or hidden decoration', it is incised or carved into the body below the glaze. (Espir 2005, p.254)
Condition: Some glaze rough spots to the rim and a frit to the reverse rim.
Reference:
Price: Sold.
Sold Chinoiserie / Japonaiserie Designs
European decorators incorporated Chinese and Japanese motifs into chinoiserie scenes with most attractive results. The idea was to create an effect that looked oriental to European eyes. What was created was not seldom superb examples of the quality that could be achieved by the Dutch decorators in copying Chinese and Japanese subjects. (Espir 2005, pp.95-96)
Sold Ceramics - Sold Chinese wares over-decorated in the West 1700-1800 - Dutch over-decorated Amsterdams Bont - Chinoiserie / Japonaiserie Designs - Page 1
Object 2010116
Tea caddy
China
1720-1740, over-decorated in the Netherlands 1730-1760
Height 113 mm (4.48 inch), dimensions 90 mm (3.54 inch) x 55 mm (2.17 inch)
Tea caddy of rectangular form with canted corners, a flat shoulder with a short upright neck and cover. The flat base is unglazed. Decorated in underglaze blue around the foot, the shoulder and on the shoulder with a stylised border of folded leaves with reserves filled with a floret between scrolls. around the cover a silk worm pattern border and on top a chrysanthemum flower head. Over-decorated in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont c.1730-1760, in iron-red and gold with a chinoiserie of a sitting figure drinking tea and reading a book in a tent near a flowering plant and a running dog. On the sides of the cover half flower heads with leafy branches.
Condition: A large chip to the cover, two firing flaws to the neck and some glaze frits to the edges of the
tea caddy and cover.
Price: Sold.
Sold Ceramics - Sold Chinese wares over-decorated in the West 1700-1800 - Dutch over-decorated Amsterdams Bont - Chinoiserie / Japonaiserie Designs - Page 1
Object 2012368
Tea caddy
China
1720-1740, over-decorated in the Netherlands 1730-1760
Height including cover 108 mm (4.25 inch), height excluding cover 99 mm (3.90 inch), dimensions 88 mm (3.46 inch) x 53 mm (2.09 inch), weight including cover 291 grams (10.27 ounce (oz.)), weight cover 23 grams (0.81 ounce (oz.))
Tea caddy of rectangular form with canted corners, a flat shoulder with a short upright neck and cover. The flat base is unglazed. Decorated in underglaze blue around the foot, the shoulder and on the shoulder with a stylised border of folded leaves with reserves filled with a floret between scrolls. Around the cover a silk worm pattern border and on top flowering aster plants. Over-decorated in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont c.1730-1760, in iron-red, gold and various overglaze enamels with a chinoiserie of a sitting Lady doing some needle work in a fenced garden landscape with rockwork and flowering plants and trees. The short upright neck is flanked by groups of flowering plants. On the sides of the cover half flower heads with leafy branches alternating with insects in flight, On top of the cover various flowering plants.
For a similarly, shaped, sized and decorated tea caddy, please see:
Condition: A chip to the shoulder and loss of glaze to various spots of the edges of the tea caddy and cover.
Price: Sold.
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Object 2011204
Saucer
China
1710-1720, over-decorated in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont,c.1730-1760
Height 23 mm (0.91 inch), diameter of rim 135 mm (5.32 inch), diameter of footring 70 mm (2.76 inch), weight 251 grams (8.53 ounce (oz.))
Saucer on footring, slightly everted rim. Decorated in underglaze blue with a flower in a central roundel surrounded by a diaper-pattern border, round the rim also a diaper pattern border.Over-decorated in iron-red, black, gold and other overglaze enamels, in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1730-1760 on the sides with in a chinoiserie style with Japanese influences. Marked on the base with the symbol mark: "Mandarin mark of honour", in a double circle, underglaze blue.
The images were probably taken from handbooks with examples for imitation lacquer. Important was to create an Oriental effect, the chinoiserie.
For the development of arts and crafts in Europe, porcelain and lacquer, were important goods. Europeans were only interested in specific Chinese and Japanese arts and crafts, the art of Chinese painting was said to be primitive and architecture to be unpredictable. This caused that in Europe only a limited view of Chinese and Japanese arts and crafts existed. There was no distinction made between Chinese and Japanese art. Out of the Chinese or Japanese arts and crafts, a choice was made whatever suited the European interior best for its use without further investigation into the typical Chinese or Japanese artistic aspects. This all caused that in Europe an Image of China existed that did not match with the reality. Especially for the arts this created a fantasy image which led to the development of Chinese orientated European arts and crafts that was named chinoiserie. (Delft 1976, pp.17-21)
Condition: A frit and various fleabites to the rim.
Reference:
Price: Sold.
Sold Flowerbasket and a Fisherman by a Sentry House
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Object 2012001
Teapot
China
1720-1730, over-decorated in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1730-1760
Height with cover 108 mm (4.25 inch), height without cover 79 mm (3.11 inch), diameter handle to spout 150 mm (5.91 inch), diameter of mouthrim 47 mm (1.85 inch), diameter of footring 49 mm (1.93 inch), weight with cover 264 grams (9.31 ounce (oz.)), weight cover 46 grams (1.62 ounce (oz.))
Teapot of globular shape on footring, straight spout with a curved C-shaped handle. Domed cover and round knob. Decorated in underglaze blue on both sides with two flower sprays and famille verte enamels with around the foot and the mouthrim a border with flower heads reserved on a frogs' spawn ground and reserves filled with flowering plants. Over-decorated in iron-red, gold and overglaze green and black enamel, in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont c.1730-1760 with four panels, reserved on an iron-red leafy-pattern ground, two filled with four panels, reserved on an iron-red and gold leafy-pattern ground, filled with a basket containing flowering plants and hanging ribbons alternating with a fisherman by a sentry house. The cover is decorated en suite.
The flower basket, in Dutch de bloemenmand was by far the most popular motif used on Amsterdams Bont pieces decorated in the Netherlands. (Jörg & Van Campen 1997, p.328)
Condition: A firing tension hairline to the cover. Two firing flaws to the inner mouthrim and two fleabites to the tip of the spout.
Reference:
Jörg & Van Campen 1997, cat. 390
Price: Sold.
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Object 2011053
Bowl
China
1730-1750, over-decorated in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1730-1760
Height 72 mm (2.83 inch), diameter of rim 141 mm (5.55 inch), diameter of footring 53 mm (2.09 inch), weight 241 grams (8.05 ounce (oz.))
Bowl on footring with steeply rounded sides and a straight underglaze brown-edged rim (jia mangkou). Decorated in underglaze blue with various flower sprays. Over-decorated in iron-red, black, gold and overglaze green enamel, in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1730-1760 with four panels, two filled with a fisherman near two sentry houses and the other two with a man walking over a bridge towards two sentry houses. In between the panels floral sprays and leafy scrolls. Around the foot a zig-zag lines pattern border. On the bottom a basket filled with flowering plants, hanging ribbons. Around the inner rim four reserves filled with an insect on a diaper pattern border. Marked on the base with a shop / makers mark in a double circle in underglaze blue.
The flower basket in combination with the fisherman by a sentry house was by far the most popular motif used on Amsterdams Bont pieces decorated in the Netherlands.
For similarly decorated objects, please see:
Condition: Firing flaws to the inner wall and inner footring the last with a short connected hairline. Three tiny fleabites to the rim.
Price: Sold.
Sold Religious Designs
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Object 2011151
Saucer
China
1740-1745, over-decorated in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1740-1760
Height 17 mm (0.67 inch), diameter of rim 115 mm (4.53 inch), diameter of footring 72 mm (2.83 inch)
Saucer on footring, slightly everted rim. Undecorated Chinese porcelain. Polychrome over-decorated in iron-red, blue, green, brown, pink, black, and gold overglaze enamels, in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1740-1760 with an overall scene depicting Christ on the Cross. Blood spurts from the wounds in his side and hans and he is flanked by the mourning figures of a prying Virgin Mary and St.John. Gilt halos radiate from all three heads, and a landscape with grassed mounds, purple hills and a cgurch is in the distance. On the upper half of the rim a spearhead border. The reverse is undecorated. (Welsh 2003, pp.68-74, cat.19)
This saucer (once part of a teabowl and saucer) is an example of undecorated porcelain shipped to the Netherlands from China to be decorated with a drawing style, perspective and colouring very different to the painting of the Chinese artists, recalling sixteenth century Flemish paintings of the Crucifixion. Two similar teabowls and saucers are found in the Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga in Lisbon, inv.no. 7192 and 7192A, and in the Fundacão Abel de Lacerda, Portugal, inv. No. 233. A further example is found in the Reeves Collection in Lexington, Virginia.
Biblical scenes from the Old and New Testaments painted on Chinese porcelain in the Netherlands appear to date mostly from the 1740s onwards and were painted in either a naïve style or copy the work of old masters. Events in the life of Christ, particularly the crucifixion, were the most numerous. Many surviving pieces are teacups and saucers. Jesus hangs on the cross, the wounds in his hands, feet and side spurting blood. The Virgin Mary, his mother, on the right and his disciple John stand grieving at the foot of the cross which is firmly pegged into the ground. In the background is the church tower and houses of a small town. Glimpsed inside the cup are instruments of the passion; the hammer and nails, the spear, rope, ladder, rod and sponge and the scourge with the crown of thorns in the centre. The same crucifixion scene, with more detail such as the elaborate halos and townscape, is also found on delftware and on Weesp porcelain teawares. (Espir 2005, pp.194-195)
Painted on porcelain blanks shipped to the Netherlands from China, the perspective, colouring and drawing style on this saucer are typical of Dutch-decorated pieces. The plainly drawn figures of the Virgin Mary and St. John, the undulating landscape and the cluster of church steeples in the far background recall various sixteenth-century Flemish paintings of the Crucifixion. (Litzenburg 2003, p. 201)
For identically over-decorated teacups and saucers, please see:
For an identically over-decorated teacup, please see:
For similarly over-decorated saucers see:
- Porselein. Chineesch en Europeesch porselein, (I.G.A.N. de Vries, Den Haag 1923), cat. 12.
- Chineesche Ceramiek. Handboek. Geschreven naar aanleiding van de verzameling in het museum het Princessehof te Leeuwarden, (N. Ottema, N.V. Drukkerij en Uitgeverij J.H. de Bussy, Amsterdam 1943), p.209, cat. 245.
- Chinese export porcelain. Chine de Commande, (D.F. Lunsingh Scheurleer, London 1974), cat. 238.
- Chinese export porcelain in North America, (J. McClure Mudge, New York 2000), p.79, cat. 122
Condition: A tiny hairline and restored chip to the rim, a X-shaped glaze hairline to the base (only visible on the base).
References:
Lunsingh Scheurleer 1974, cat. 238
Espir 2005, pp.194-195 & cat. 50
Price: Sold.
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Object 2012417
Dish
China
1740-1745, over-decorated in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1740-1760
Height 28 mm (1.10 inch), diameter of rim 231 mm (9.09 inch), diameter of footring 124 mm (4.88 inch), weight 311 grams (10.97 ounce (oz.))
Dish on footring, flat underglaze brown-edged rim (jia mangkou). Blank porcelain. Polychrome over-decorated in iron-red, blue, green, brown, pink and black overglaze enamels, in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1740-1760 with an overall scene depicting a seated Job naked with a part of a torn up robe over his legs, his hands folded together and two of his friends standing and clearly in agony. Underneath the scene the script 'JOB2:'. On the sides interwined spirals, round the rim a foliate scroll border. The reverse is undecorated. (Welsh 2003, pp.68-74, cat.19)
Book of Job 2:11 (Job's Three Friends)
Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him, the came each from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They made an appointment together to come to show him sympathy and comfort him. And when they saw him from a distance, they did not recognize him. And they raised their voices and wept, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads towards heaven. And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great.
Biblical scenes from the Old and New Testaments painted on Chinese porcelain in the Netherlands appear to date mostly from the 1740s onwards and were painted in either a naïve style or copy the work of old masters. Events in the life of Christ, particularly the crucifixion, were the most numerous. Many surviving pieces are teacups and saucers. Jesus hangs on the cross, the wounds in his hands, feet and side spurting blood. The Virgin Mary, his mother, on the right and his disciple John stand grieving at the foot of the cross which is firmly pegged into the ground. In the background is the church tower and houses of a small town. Glimpsed inside the cup are instruments of the passion; the hammer and nails, the spear, rope, ladder, rod and sponge and the scourge with the crown of thorns in the centre. The same crucifixion scene, with more detail such as the elaborate halos and townscape, is also found on delftware and on Weesp porcelain teawares. (Espir 2005, pp.194-195)
Overdecorated plates with similar border designs show a view of the Herengracht in Amsterdam with the inscription de bogt van de Heeregracht, 't Am., 'the bend in the Herengracht at Amsterdam', Another plate shows a portrait of Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723), his obelisk in the Oude Kerk at Delft or his arms,, but there is also a late version of of Pronk's 'The Parasol Lady' with this border (Jörg). That the Leeuwenhoek plates were probably painted for the fiftieth anniversary of the death of the famous biologist would seem to be confirmed by a Delft plate of a similar design dated 1774 . Thus the Pronk plate and this one are dated accordingly. (Lunsingh Scheurleer 1974, cat.341), (Lunsingh Scheurleer 1989, p.273, cat.239), (Jörg & Van Campen 1997, p.327, cat 289)
This over-decorated plate with a similar border design shows a portrait of Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723), his obelisk in the Oude Kerk at Delft or his arms. (Lunsingh Scheurleer 1974, cat. 341)
An over-decorated plate with a similar border design shows a view of the Herengracht in Amsterdam with the inscription de bogt van de Heeregracht, 't Am., 'the bend in the Herengracht at Amsterdam'. (Jörg & Van Campen 1997, p.283, cat. 389)
An over-decorated plate witha view of the village Jaarvelt after an engraving by Abraham Rademaker (1675-1735).
Pronk's design the 'Parasol Lady' with similar border design. (Jörg 1996-5, pp.38-44, fig. 87)
Condition: Poor, professionally restored.
References:
Lunsingh Scheurleer 1974, cat. 341
Lunsingh Scheurleer 1989, cat. 239
Jörg & Van Campen 1997, cat. 389
Price: Sold.
Sold Other Designs
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Object 2012204
Covered jar
China
1730-1760, over-decorated in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1730-1760
Height with cover 64 mm (2.51 inch), height without cover 39 mm (1.54 inch), diameter of rim 58 mm (2.28 inch), diameter of ring knob 25 mm (0.98 inch), diameter of footring 35 mm (1.38 inch), weight with cover 118 grams (4.16 ounce (oz.)), weight cover 54 grams (1.90 ounce (oz.))
Covered jar on footring with an almost cylindrical ribbed body. The ribbed domed cover with a ring knob, the ring knob and cover rim with an underglaze brown-edge (jia mangkou). Undecorated. Over-decorated in iron-red, black and gold enamels in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont c.1730-1760 with a framed iron-red and gold cartouche filled with a discreetly draped semi-naked lady washing her feet, aided by a young boy, alternating with a leafy spray. The cover is decorated en suite.
Among the millions of pieces of Chinese porcelain imported by the Dutch in the 18th century, a small amount was not decorated, but completely plain or with just an underglaze blue border design. This 'white' porcelain, as it is called in the records of the VOC, was decorated in the Netherlands in enamel colours by private enamellers, who either made use of ceramic factories and their facilities in Delft, Rotterdam and other Dutch towns, or fired the pieces themselves at a low temperature in a private muffle kiln. (Jörg & Van Campen 1997, p.319)
Chinese porcelain coffee or tea-services decorated in encre de Chine with a Chine de commande design were expensive, rare and much in demand. Dutch decorators started over-decorating cheap undecorated Chinese coffee or tea-services with imitations of Chine de commande designs in ence de Chine style and selling it at a profit. Jörg states that copies of Chine de commande are rare and allow a dating post quem. (Jörg & Van Campen 1997, p.319)
This Chine de commande scene with a discreetly draped semi-naked lady was made after an engraving by the French engraver Claude-Augustin-Piere Duflos (1700-1786), known as 'Le Bain'. It has been suggested that the lady depicted is the famous Marie-Jeanne Bécu or Madame du Barry (1743-1793) the famous mistress of Louis XV of France although this seems very unlikely as Marie-Jeanne Bécu was only intoduced at Louis XV court in 1767). Others say she represents the goddess Diana at her bath while a winged putto washes her feet. This 18th century subject can be found on many examples of Chinese porcelain decorated in China and a few painted in Holland, perhaps copying a Chinese example. (Hervouët 1986, p.124), (Espir 2005, p.189), (Salisbury 2014, p.22, cat. 331)
For identically, originally Chinese decorated, objects with the Le Bain design, please see:
For identically over-decorated dishes with the Le Bain design, please see:
- La porcelaine des Compagnies des Indes a décor Occidental, (F. & N. Hervouët, Y. Bruneau, Flammarion - Pere Castor, Paris 1986), p.370, no. 16.18.
- The Helen Espir Collection of European Decorated Oriental Porcelain, auction catalogue Woolley & Wallis Salisbury, 12 November 2014, p.22, cat. 331
Such covered jars were once part of an undecorated coffee and or tea-service. They may have been used to keep lumps of sugar-caandy which was served when drinking tea. (Jörg & Van Campen 1997, p.111)
Condition: Two firing flaws and some tiny frits to the footring.
References:
Hervouët 1986, p.214 & no. 6.28 - 6.35, no. 16.18
Jörg & Van Campen 1997, p.111 & 319
Price: Sold.
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Object 2012115
Teapot
China
1730-1750, over-decorated in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1730-1760
Height with cover 115 mm (4.52 inch), height without cover 84 mm (3.30 inch), diameter handle to spout 165 mm (6.50 inch), diameter of mouthrim 52 mm (2.05 inch), diameter of footring 50 mm (1.97 inch), weight with cover 333 grams (11.74 ounce (oz.)), weight cover 63 grams (2.22 ounce (oz.))
Globular teapot on footring. The original handle is missing and replaced by a wicker handle. A straight spout and a domed and pierced cover with knob. Decorated in underglaze blue with, on both sides, wide flower sprays, round the mouthrim a zig-zag-lines pattern border with reserves filled with florets between scrolls. On the spout a single flower spray. The cover is decorated en suite. Over-decorated, respecting and following the original underglaze blue decoration, in iron-red, gold and overglaze green and black enamel, in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont c.1730-1760 with two panels, reserved on an iron-red and gold diaper-pattern ground, filled with flower sprays and on both sides flanked by a bird perched on a branch. On the cover two panels, reserved on an iron-red and gold diaper-pattern ground filled with flower sprays.
New York City based interior designer, set decorator and author Andrew Baseman's blog, Past Imperfect: The Art of Inventive Repair, is a fascinating accounting of ceramic and glass repairs from the time in history when your China wasn't a disposable item but rather a cherished heirloom to be creatively repaired for continued use. This Chinese teapot with its 'inventive repair' is an exellent example of such an object.
Condition: The original handle is missing and replaced by a wicker handle, chips to the tip of the spout and the rim of the cover. Missing pieces of glaze and a chip to the knob.
References:
Lunsingh Scheurleer 1966, cat. 342 & 343
Jörg & Van Campen 1997, cat. 390
http://andrewbaseman.com/blog/
Price: Sold.
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Object 2011985
Ewer
China
c.1700, over-decorated in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1730-1760
Height with cover 177 mm (6.97 inch), height without cover 147 mm (5.79 inch), diameter handle to spout 117 mm (4.61 inch), dimensions mouthrim 33 (1.30 inch) x 25 mm (0.98 inch), dimensions footring 43 mm (1.69 inch) x 36 mm (1.42 inch), weight with cover 273 grams (6.93 ounce (oz.)), weight cover 22 grams (10.78 ounce (oz.))
Small ewer on high, splayed foot, flattened pear-shaped body with moulded ruyi panels on either side, long curved spout and high handle. The beginning of the long curved handle and spout is shaped as an animals opened beak. Decorated in underglaze blue with flowering plants in the panels. Over-decorated in iron-red, gold and overglaze green enamel, in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont c.1730-1760. Marked on the base with, most pseudo-Chinese characters painted in overglaze iron-red. The cover is decorated and over-decorated en suite.
Such small ewers, which are quite common in Dutch collections, were probably parts of cruet sets arranged on a stand. They held oil and vinegar while other components of the set may have been small jars for mustard and spices like pepper. However pieces became lost or divided up between heirs with the result that no intact sets seem to be known. The shape may originally have been derived from a Persian or Indian metal model. (Jörg & Van Campen 1997, pp.111-112)
The shape of this small ewer derived from a larger original, for this original, please see:
Howard & Ayers state that the shape is copied with considerably accuracy from a Near Eastern copper ewer of a type which had been in use at this period for perhaps three centuries. The long handle and spout are of Persian style. (Howard & Ayers 1978, II, p.461)
The pseudo-Chinese characters on the base are, most likely, made up by the Dutch Amsterdams Bont over-decorator. Important was to create an Oriental effect, the 'chinoiserie'. What makes this object interesting is that the Amsterdams Bont over-decoration is painted right over a chip to the neck and a glaze rough spot to the edge. These two damages were, most likely, caused after the first firing of the tea-caddy and before the second Amsterdams Bont over decoration firing, the crackled-ice pattern over the edge does not appear to be consistent.
For an identically shaped and sized ewer decorated in underglaze blue, please see:
- Pronken met Oosters Porselein, exhibition catalogue Gemeentemuseum Arnhem, (S. Hartog, Zwolle, 1990), p.73, cat. 61.
- Chinese Ceramics in the Collection of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. The Ming and Qing Dynasties, (C.J.A. Jörg in collaboration with J. van Campen, London, 1997), pp. 111-113 cat. 109.
Condition: A firing flaw and two fleabites to the cover. A restored chip to a corner of the foot.
References:
(Howard & Ayers 1978, II, p.461
Jörg & Van Campen 1997, cat. 109
Price: Sold.
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Object 2011346
Small dish
China
1730-1750, over-decorated in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1730-1760
Height 19 mm (0.75 inch), diameter of rim 165 mm (6.50 inch), diameter of footring 90 mm (3.54 inch), weight 168 grams (5.92 ounce (oz.))
Small dish on footring, flat rim. Decorated in underglaze blue with a willow tree and a flowering peony tree growing from taihu (pierced garden) rocks near a fence in a garden landscape. On the sides four reserves filled with flower heads on a trellis-pattern ground. Round the rim a trellis-pattern border. Over-decorated in iron-red and gold in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1730-1760, in the centre with various flowering plants. On the rim flower heads with leafy stems alternating with groups of dots. The reverse is undecorated.
Condition: Perfect.
Price: Sold.
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Object 2012273
Dish
China
1730-1750, over-decorated in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1730-1760
Height 20 mm (0.79 inch), diameter of rim 165 mm (6.50 inch), diameter of footring 84 mm (3.31 inch), weight 188 grams (6.63 ounce (oz.))
Dish on footring, flat underglaze brown-edged rim (jia mangkou). Decorated in 'Red & Gold' or 'Rouge de Fer' with iron-red, black enamel and gold on the glaze with an overall design of flowering peony in various stages of bloom. Over-decorated in iron-red, black and green overglaze enamel, in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1730-1760 with a basket filled with flowering plants, hanging ribbons and two insects in flight. Around the rim an ornamental border. The reverse is undecorated.
Not many originally decorated in 'Red & Gold' or 'Rouge de Fer' objects were used for over-decorating in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1730-1760. In the book 'Melk en Bloed. Exquisite porcelain from the Middle Kingdom', (D. Suebsman, Norden 2019), not a single object is mentioned.
For an identically in 'Red & Gold' or 'Rouge de Fer' decorated cream dish, please see:
Condition: One firing flaw to the inner footring and two firing flaws to the rim one with a fleabite. A hairline to the rim.
References:
Price: Sold.
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Object 2011978
Dish
China
1730-1750, over-decorated in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1730-1760
Height 25 mm (0.98 inch), diameter of rim 216 mm (8.50 inch), diameter of footring 120 mm (4.72 inch), weight 336 grams (11.85 ounce (oz.))
Dish on footring, flat rim. Decorated in underglaze blue with a flowering peony tree growing from taihu (pierced garden) rocks near a fence and a bird in flight. Round the the rim a trellis-pattern border. Over-decorated in the centre with iron-red, black and green overglaze enamel, in the Netherlands, Amsterdams Bont, c.1730-1760. Around the rim reserves filled with a diaper ground and half flower heads flanked by leafy scrolls. The reverse is undecorated.
Condition: Various fleabites and a chip to the rim. A chip to the inner footring.
Price: Sold.
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