Chinese Porcelain
Blue and White wares since 1722
Page 1
Blue and White wares since 1722 - Page 1
Object 2012467
Vase
China
c.1740-60
Height 163 mm (2.84 inch), dimensions foot 55 mm (2.17 inch) x 55 mm (2.17 inch), dimensions belly 65 mm (5.56 inch) x 65 mm (2.56 inch), dimensions mouth 28 mm (1.10 inch) mm x 28 mm (1.10 inch), weight 270 grams (9.52 ounce (oz.))
Vase on square broad flat foot with recessed glazed center, the foot steeply tapering with straight sides to the body of the vase. The four sides spreading to the recessed shoulder which support the four sided neck ending in a everted square mouth. Decorated in underglaze blue with on the foot a lappet border with half flower heads on an underglaze blue ground. On the sides a scholar with a servant in a garden landscape with rocks, trees and plants alternating with a bird perched on a branch of a fruiting pomegranate tree. On the shoulder half flower heads on an underglaze blue ground and on the neck reserves filled with book rolls tied together with a knotted string and a large flower spay alternating with a fruiting spray and a large flower spray.
The vase is of an unusual shape that may have derived from a contemporary Chinese bronze vase. No comparable pieces could be traced in literature. It must have required special skills to make and must have been difficult to fire. The cracks and crackled glaze were was most likely caused by the shape after the firing during the cooling down process.
Condition: The glaze partly crackled and cracked due to the cooling down process after the firing probably caused by the unusual shape, some firing flaws and a fleabite to the outer rim.
Price: € 999 Currency Converter
Blue and White wares since 1722 - Page 1
Object 2011416
Dish
China
c.1725
Height 35 mm (1.38 inch), diameter of rim 218 mm (9.45 inch), diameter of footring 120 mm (4.84 inch), weight 298 grams (10.51 ounce (oz.))
Dish on footring, flat underglaze brown-edged rim (jia mangkou). Decorated in underglaze blue Chinese kraak style with two branches with fruit, one with pomegranates and one with finger-lemon fruit also called 'Buddha's-hand citron' (Citrus medica). The interior wall is divided into panels filled with swastika, scale-pattern, zig-zag lines and flowers. The reverse is undecorated.
The dish shows a simplified kraak decorative arrangement. Both decorative elements, pomegranates and 'Buddha's-hand citron' (Citrus medica), can also be found on Japanese blue and white Arita dishes from the Edo early period (1615-1703), c.1660-1680. Although the decoration on this dish is reminiscent of kraak, the undecorated reverse, is not.
Object 2010231, Dish, Japan, Arita presumably Sarugawa, 1670-1690 (not included in this offer/sale).
In the cargo of the Ca Mau shipwreck, c.1725 a series of five, identically decorated, dishes were found together with a series of dishes decorated with the Chine de commande 'Scheveningen design'. Both original designs were traditionally made in Arita Japan 1660-1710 for the Dutch. These dishes were so popular that Chinese potters copied them in order to compete with the Japanese. Such copies were already known, but the occurrence in the Ca Mau made it likely that these dishes that these dishes, and therefore most of the porcelain cargo, were destined for Batavia because only the Dutch would appreciate such specific Chine de commande pieces. (Amsterdam 2007, p.17 & p.179)
In 1675 rebel armies swept across Jingdezhen, burning the greater part of kilns in the area to the ground. Five years later the Kangxi Emperor controlled the southern provinces, thus uniting China under his rule. In 1680 the young Emperor expressed his personal interest in the industry of the region by appointing a commission to study the problem of how best to rebuild the ceramic industry in the Jingdezhen area. Trade with the Dutch resumed in 1681. In 1682 the first of a series of able superintendents was appointed to establish and direct a kiln complex organized on an industrial basis which enjoyed Imperial patronage. A few decades after the restoration of the Jingdezhen kilns, some porcelains were still decorated with the kraak motifs which had been so popular during the late Ming Dynasty. Kraak copies produced at Jingdezhen during the last twenty years of the seventeenth century and the first decades of the eighteenth century no longer have grit adhering to the footring or chatter marks on the bases. Rims are not foliate but straight or carefully scalloped with the glaze adhering perfectly without forming the moth-eaten edge so typical for earlier Kraak wares. (Rinaldi 1989, pp.230-232, Pl.293)
The pomegranate, Punica granata, is a Buddhist sign. The fruit is supposed to represent the essence of the favourable influence believed to exist in the pomegranate tree. A twig of the pomegranate is sometimes used instead of willow for sprinkling water. The pomegranate, as in ancient Greece, is, also owing to its numerous seeds, an emblem of posterity. (Williams 1976, pp.332-333)
The 'Fingered citron or Buddha's hand' (Citrus medica) is a small, open citrus with distinctive fruit, native to the foothills of the Himalayas. Around 320 BC, Greeks and Romans used the fruit as a source of fragrance and the leaves as a moth repellent. The fruit has also been used for centuries to perfume clothes and rooms, as ornaments in religious ceremonies and is appreciated for its medicinal qualities. This explains why the Chinese treated it as a precious decorative object in the old days. When the pomegranate ripens it opens up and exposes lots of seeds inside. Chinese people like its pretty appearance, signifying many offspring /children to come. (I am indebted to Mr S. Fan for this information)
For similarly decorated Chinese dishes, please see:
For identically in Chinese kraak style decorated, original Japanese, Edo early period dishes for sale, please see:
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Japanese Blue and White wares 17th Century - Dishes - Page 1 - Object 2010231.
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Japanese Blue and White wares 17th Century - Dishes - Page 1 - Object 2010437.
For other identically in Chinese kraak style decorated, original Japanese, Edo early period dishes, please see:
- Japans porselein met blauwe decoraties uit de tweede helft van de zeventiende en de eerste helft van de achttiende eeuw, (D.F. Lunsingh Scheurleer, in, Mededelingenblad Nederlandse Vereniging van Vrienden van de Ceramiek, vols. 64/65, 1971), p.54, cat. 8.
- Pronken met Oosters porselein, exhibition catalogue Gemeente Museum Arnhem, (S. Hartog, Waanders, Zwolle 1990), p.128, cat. 153.
- Japanese Export Porcelain. Catalogue of the Collection of the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, (O. Impey, Hotei Publishing, Amsterdam, 2002), p.109, cat. 128.
- Fine & Curious: Japanese Export Porcelain in Dutch Collections, (C.J.A. Jörg, Hotei Publishing, Amsterdam 2003), p.28, cat. 8.
Condition: A firing flaw, a frit and a chip to the rim. A hairline and a firing flaw with two connected hairlines to the base.
References:
Lunsingh Scheurleer 1971, cat. 8
Price: € 749 Currency Converter
Blue and White wares since 1722 - Page 1
Object 2011762
Dish
China
1720-1730
Height 30 mm (1.18 inch), diameter 263 mm (10.35 inch), diameter of footring 140 mm (5.51 inch), weight 555 grams (19.58 ounce (oz.))
Dish on footring, flat underglaze brown-edged rim (jia mangkou). Decorated in underglaze blue with a 'vajra' within a swirling clouds pattern border. On the rim knotted motifs alternating with floral scrolls. On the reverse two flower sprays.
Vajra is a Sanskrit word meaning both thunderbolt and diamond. Additionally, it is a weapon which is used as a ritual object to symbolize both the properties of a diamond (indestructibility) and a thunderbolt (irresistible force). The vajra is essentially a type of club with a ribbed spherical head. The ribs may meet in a ball-shaped top, or they may be separate and end in sharp points with which to stab. The vajra is used symbolically by the dharma traditions of Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism, often to represent firmness of spirit and spiritual power. The use of the vajra as a symbolic and ritual tool spread from India along with Indian religion and culture to other parts of Asia. This dish was probably meant for the Indian market and not for the Western market. (Wikipedia)
A Japanese dish in the Rijksmuseum Collection (AK-RBK 1972-261) with a very similar type of deoration, is dated 1660-80, for this dish please see:
- Fine & Curious. Japanese Export Porcelain in Dutch Collections, (C.J.A. Jörg, Hotei Publishing, Amsterdam, 2003), p.35, cat. 20.
Condition: Two shallow glaze chips, two shallow glaze frits and various very tiny shallow fleabites all to the reverse rim. A chip or firing flaw to the inner footring.
References:
Price: € 499 Currency Converter
Blue and White wares since 1722 - Page 1
Object 2011875
Dish
China
c.1720-1730
Height 29 mm (1.14 inch), diameter of rim 227 mm (8.94 inch), diameter of footring 128 mm (5.04 inch), weight 392 grams (13.83 ounce (oz.))
Dish on footring, convex centre and flat underglaze brown-edged rim (jia mangkou). Decorated in underglaze blue on the convex centre with a vase and a flower spray on a rolled out bookroll surrounded by a pointed leaves-pattern border with waves, rocks, a pagoda, flowering plants and a pomegranate. On the sides four groups of flowering plants. Around the rim a continuous decoration of figures in a landscape engaged in various stages of a duck hunt. On the reverse two flower sprays.
In the collection of the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam are three Chinese Imari decorated dishes with rising convex bases. This type of dish, called a boter bord or 'butter dish' in the Netherlands, is also found in Delft earthenware. Besides a large knob of butter, this specific shape with its raised middle section could also be used for milk-puddings, savarin cakes and similar baked products served with butter or syrup sauces.
For identically shaped dishes, please see:
- Chinese Porcelain, (W.G. Gulland, vol. 1, London 1911), pl. 245.
- Het Chinese porselein in de collectie Frits Lugt / The Frits Lugt collection of Chinese porcelains, (D.F. Lunsingh Scheurleer in Mededelingenblad Nederlandse Vereniging van Vrienden van de Ceramiek, vols. 103/104, Lochem 1981), p.77, cat. 86.
- 300 Treasures, (F. Suchomel, Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague, Prague, 2015), p.205, cat. 86.
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Sold Ceramics - Sold Blue and White Kangxi Period 1660-1722 - Dishes - Page 2 - Object 2011435.
Condition: A frit and a hairline to the rim, some shallow frits and chips to the footring.
References:
Lunsingh Scheurleer 1977, cat. 176
Lunsingh Scheurleer 1981, cat. 86
Price: € 399 Currency Converter
Blue and White wares since 1722 - Page 1
Object 2012039
Dish
China
1720-1740
Height 37 mm (1.46 inch), diameter of rim 245 mm (9.65 inch), diameter of footring 138 mm (5.43 inch), weight 418 grams (14.74 ounce (oz.))
Dish on footring, flat underglaze brown-edged rim (jia mangkou). Decorated in underglaze blue with a pheasant on a rock flanked by flowering peony plants and a butterfly with insects in flight. On the sides a ruyi pattern border and on the rim figures in various types of landscapes. The reverse is undecorated.
The pheasant on a rock is a very popular motif on export porcelain and frequently appears on enamelled and underglaze blue Kangxi wares. According to Williams, in the Chinese bureaucratic hierarchy officials of the second grade had a gold pheasant embroidered on their court robes, those of the fifth grade a silver pheasant. The bird was represented as standing on a rock, looking towards the sun, the imperial symbol of authority. (Williams 1976, pp.322-323), (Jörg & Van Campen 1997, p.157)
For other objects decorated with the pheasant on a rock design, please see:
Condition: Two firing flaws and a fleabite and frit to the (reverse) rim.
References:
Jörg & Van Campen 1997, cat. 171
Price: € 499 Currency Converter
Blue and White wares since 1722 - Page 1
Object 2012426
Dish
China
1720-1730
Height 33 mm (1.30 inch), diameter of rim 224 mm (8.82 inch), diameter of footring 110 mm (4.33 inch), weight 313 grams (11.04 ounce (oz.))
Dish on footring, flat underglaze brown-edged rim (jia mangkou). Decorated in underglaze blue with a pheasant on a taihu (garden)rock flanked by various flowering plants. On the sides butterflies alternating with reserves filled with flowering stems. Round the rim butterflies alternating with flower sprays. On the reverse two flower sprays.
The pheasant on a rock is a very popular motif on export porcelain and frequently appears on enamelled and underglaze blue Kangxi wares. (Jörg & Van Campen 1997, p.157) According to Williams, in the Chinese bureaucratic hierarchy officials of the second grade had a gold pheasant embroidered on their court robes, those of the fifth grade a silver pheasant. The bird was represented as standing on a rock, looking towards the sun, the imperial symbol of authority. (Williams 1976, pp.322-323)
The butterfly is the symbol of joy, marital bliss, summer and happiness and a favourite subject in poems and paintings. Sometimes it is called the 'Chinese Cupid' after a story about a young student. When he was chasing a butterfly, he entered a garden where he met the beautiful daughter of a retired magistrate. He was so taken with her charms that he decided to work hard at his studies and to become a success so that he could ask for her hand in marriage. The butterfly dancing among blossom chalices may symbolize the man who refreshes himself with the love of a woman. (Hartog 1990, p.149 & p.151)
For other, sold, objects decorated with a pheasant on a taihu (garden)rock, please see:
Condition: A firing flaw to the base. A frit to the rim and to the reverse rim. A glaze rough spot to the rim.
References:
Price: Sold.
Blue and White wares since 1722 - Page 1
Object 2011972B
Dish
China
1735-1745
Height 32 mm (1.26 inch), diameter of rim 214 mm (8.43 inch), diameter of footring 108 mm (4.25 inch), weight 332 grams (11.71 ounce (oz.))
Dish on footring, flat rim. Decorated in underglaze blue with a peacock perched on a rock surrounded by pierced rockwork with flowering plants and a bird in flight. On the sides reserves outlined with scrolling spiky lotus leaves and filled with a bird on a flowering branch or a shell filled with flowering branches and ribbons. On the reverse two bamboo sprays.
Condition: Some glaze rough spots frits, fleabites and a chip to the reverse rim.
Price: € 399 Currency Converter
Blue and White wares since 1722 - Page 1
Object 2011881
Dish
China
1730-1745
Height 28 mm (1.10 inch), diameter of rim 220 mm (8.66 inch), diameter of footring 115 mm (4.53 inch), weight 318 grams (11.22 ounce (oz.))
Dish on footring, flat underglaze brown-edged rim (jia mangkou). Decorated in underglaze blue with a central flowerhead in a circular roundel surrounded by four groups of flowers. On the rim a border of swags and crowns. On the reverse three flower sprays.
The border with swags and what appear to be crowns suggest an European design as source of inspiration for the decoration on this dish.
Condition: A fleabite to the footring and some very tiny fleabites to the reverse rim.
Price: € 349 Currency Converter
Blue and White wares since 1722 - Page 1
Object 201014
Saucer
China
1723-1735
Height 21 mm (0.82 inch), diameter of rim 113 mm (4.45 inch), diameter of footring 56 mm (2.20 inch), weight 70 grams (2.47 ounce (oz.))
Saucer on footring, flat rim. Decorated in underglaze blue with two courting cranes. Round the interior rim a stylized laurel leaves pattern border. The reverse is undecorated. The matching teacup is missing.
The crane (Grus montignesia) itself is an auspicious symbol, representing longevity and wisdom. They accompany Daoist immortals (xian, hsien) bringing from The Isles of Paradise the tablets in their beaks. A pair of cranes symbolizes 'Long Marriage' as cranes mate for life. (Pijl-Ketel 1982, p.279)
Among the ceramic cargo of the Ca Mau shipwreck (1725) almost identical shaped and decorated teacups and saucers with the so-called 'Courting Cranes' pattern were found. (Amsterdam 2007, pp.116-117)
Condition: A hairline and two frits to the rim.
References:
Price: € 149 Currency Converter
Blue and White wares since 1722 - Page 1
Object 2011692
Bowl
China
1850 or later
Provenance: The George Eumorfopoulos Collection of Chinese, Corean & Persian Pottery & Porcelain.
Height 57 mm (2.20 inch), diameter of rim 146 mm (5.59 inch), diameter of footring 46 mm (2.20 inch), weight 144 grams (5.08 ounce (oz.))
Bowl on footring, slightly flaring rim. Decorated in underglaze blue with the Taoist Triad, three figures representing Tu (happiness), Lu (Official Advancement) and Shou (Longevity) in a fenced garden landscape. The interior with a stylised pine tree, a deer and lingzhi in a double cirle. Marked on the base with the highly stylised four character mark Hung-hsi, nien chieh. On the interior wall an old oval paper collectors label from George Eumorfopoulos with the handwritten collectors number C.159, in black ink.
The design on this bowl is unusual and the stylised mark can be considered extremely rare. The bowl is apparently over fired creating the cracked ice motif of the glaze.
George Eumorfopoulos was a distinguished collector of European and Oriental porcelain. He was born in Mount Pleasant, Liverpool, on 18 April 1863, the son of Aristides George Eumorfopoulos and Mariora Scaramanga. He worked for the merchant firm of Ralli Brothers, where he rose to the position of Vice-President before retiring in 1934. He initially collected European porcelain before moving on to create a renowned collection of early Chinese art, encompassing porcelain, archaic bronzes and jades, and sculpture and paintings. Eumorfopoulos turned a part of his house on Chelsea Embankment into a private museum to display these works of art, which attracted many visitors. Eumorfopoulos was a member of the Victoria & Albert’s Advisory Council from 1925 to 1935, and was a founder of the Oriental Ceramic Society and its first president from 1921 until his death in 1939. In 1934 he sold his collection at below market value to the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum. (source: www.vam.ac.uk)
In the 1920's this bowl was regarded as export quality and dated 15th Century. The original George Eumorfopoulos collectors label states that this bowl was considered to be special enough by a collector of the stature of George Eumorfopoulos to take this bowl up in his prestigious collection. In Hobson's 'The George Eumorfopoulos Collection of Chinese, Corean & Persian Pottery & Porcelain' (1925-1928) the whole C-section is about early ceramics (Chün) but it does not include a number C.159. To my knowledge there have been no later subsequent catalogus created-except for the Bluett & Sons's 'Chinese Pottery and Porcelain from the Eumorfopoulos Collection' (1935) sale catalogue and the Sotheby's 'The Eumorfopoulos Collections. Catalogue of Persian Ceramics & Islamic Glass, Egyptian, Greek and Roman Antiquities, Choice Medieval & Renaissance Works of Art etc. formed by the late George Eumorfopoulos.'' (1940)
It is now recognised as an academically interesting piece of provincial Chinese blue-and-white made for the domestic market in Fujian Province (i.e. not in Jingdezhen) a lesser known manufacturing centre. It can be dated mid or second half 19th Century.
Condition: Perfect.
Reference:
Price: € 499 Currency Converter
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