Chinese Porcelain
Polychrome wares other since 1722
Page 1
Polychrome wares other since 1722 - Page 1
Objects 2011479 and 2011480
Pair of dishes
China
c.1720
2011479: height 47 mm (1.85 inch), diameter of rim 255 mm (10.00 inch), diameter of footring 145 mm (5.71 inch), weight 516 grams (18.20 ounce (oz.))
2011480: height 47 mm (1.85 inch), diameter of rim 260 mm (10.23 inch), diameter of footring 147 mm (5.79 inch), weight 518 grams (18.27 ounce (oz.))
A pair of fluted dishes on footrings, with gently curving ribbed sides, ribbed rims and scalloped underglaze brown-edges (jia mangkou). Polychrome decorated in iron-red, black, gold and other overglaze enamels. The central medallion shows a flowering peony, chrysanthemum and bamboo tree growing from pierced rockwork, in double concentric band. On the cavetto four groups of flowering chrysanthemum alternating with flowering peony. On the inside rim a decorative pattern border with four rosettes and four cartouches filled with a flower spray. On the exterior rim a decorative pattern border with four rosettes and on the exterior wall two flower sprays.
The Pæonia arborea, or tree peony, is an emblem of love and affection, King of flowers and a symbol of Spring and feminine beauty. The Chrysanthemum indicum is an emblem of mid-autumn and symbol of joviality. Flower of the 9th month and generally associated with a life of ease, and retirement from public office. The Bambusa arundinacea, or bamboo, is an emblem of longevity owing probably to its durability, and to the fact that it is evergreen and flourishes throughout the winter. It is commonly known as "the friend of China" and in ancient times bamboo tablets were used instead of books. (Williams 1976, pp.33-34, 69-70 & 320-321)
Condition:
2011479: A fleabite to the exterior rim and a shallow frit to the footring. Wear to the golden decoration.
2011480: Two firing flaws and two popped bubbles of glaze to the exterior rim. A shallow frit to the interior rim. Some wear to the iron-red decoration.
References:
Williams 1976, pp.33-34, 69-70 & 320-321
Price: € 899 - $ 975 - £ 762
(the $ and £ prices are approximates and depend on the € price exchange rate)
Polychrome wares other since 1722 - Page 1
Objects 2010778 and 2010779
Two tea caddies
China
1730-1740
2010778: Height including cover 114 mm (4.49 inch), height excluding cover 101 mm (3.98 inch), dimensions 63 mm (2.48 inch) x 62 mm (2.44 inch), weight with cover 265 grams (9.35 ounce (oz.)), weight cover 7 grams (0.25 ounce (oz.))
2010779: Height including cover 118 mm (4.64 inch), height excluding cover 100 mm (3.94 inch), dimensions 66 mm (2.60 inch) x 67 mm (2.64 inch), weight with cover 277 grams (9.77 ounce (oz.)), weight cover 6 grams (0.21 ounce (oz.))
Two tea caddies of square form with canted corners, four flat feet at the corners, flat shoulder with a short unglazed upright neck. The original covers are missing and replaced with wooden covers. Polychrome decorated in iron-red, gold and various overglaze enamels with flowering plants and a grass hopper alternating with flowering lotus and lily and a crane with a bird in flight. Round the shoulder a floral border on an iron-red speckled ground. On the flat shoulder, in each corner, a single flower spray. On the base of object 2010779 an old rectangular paper label that reads: 'Period of Emperor K'ANG-HSI 1660-1722'.
For an identically shaped, sized and decorated, sold tea caddy, please see:
For an identically shaped and sized and similarly decorated, sold tea caddy, please see:
Condition:
2010778: Some glaze rough spots to the edges and a fleabite and frit to the mouthrim.
2011779: Some glaze rough spots to the edges.
Price: € 749 - $ 889 - £ 667
(the $ and £ prices are approximates and depend on the € price exchange rate)
Polychrome wares other since 1722 - Page 1
Object 2010680
Teacup and saucer
China
1740-1750
Height of teacup 38 mm (1.50 inch), diameter of rim 73 mm (2.87 inch), diameter of footring 37 mm (1.46 inch), weight 40 grams (1.41 ounce (oz.))
Height of saucer 21 mm (0.83 inch), diameter of rim 115 mm (4.53 inch), diameter of footring 66 mm (2.60 inch), weight 53 grams (1.87 ounce (oz.))
Teacup and saucer on footrings, slightly everted rims. Polychrome decorated in bianco sopra bianco with
a Chinese landscape with two pavilions among rocks and bushes. A huntsman in a pink coat and black hat and leggings carrying a stave runs after his black hound which is chasing a leaping stag. In the foreground two huntsmen in pink and blue oriental robes, each carrying a stave, are engaged in conversation. Round the rim is a bianco sopra bianco border,. The reverse is undecorated. The teacup is decorated en suite. On the base of the teacup an old oval paper collectors label that reads: "525 Lo Litratse".
There are two patterns found on English and Chinese porcelain that can be dated to the early 1750s. One is with grisaille vine leaves and pink grapes the other is with the staghunt; a popular English chinoiserie pattern dating to the early 1750s and possibly to the late 1740s. it is frequently seen on Chinese porcelain painted in England and also on a small number of pieces thought to have been decorated in China in the late 1740-50s. The pattern was used widely by English factories: in famille rose enamels on Worcester 'scratch cross' (1753-56), on Gilbody (1754-58) and Chaffers (1758-62) of Liverpool, also on Derby (1758) and Lowestoft porcelain (1765-70). Worcester cups were decorated with the pattern in London in 1765-70, and Chamberlain reintroduced it at Worcester c.1792 called the 'Hunting pattern in compartments'. The scene is set in a Chinese landscape with two pavilions among rocks and bushes. A huntsman in a pink coat and black hat and leggings carrying a stave runs after his black hound which is chasing a leaping stag. In the foreground two huntsmen in pink and blue oriental robes, each carrying a stave, are engaged in conversation. Round the rim is a gilt spearhead border, A feature found on both Chinese and English porcelain examples is white enamel scrollwork and flowerheads surrounding the scene. This is known as bianco sopra bianco, a term applied to opaque white enamel decoration on tin glazed earthenware in Europe and copied in China on export porcelain as rim decoration, as a filler between panels or as all over decoration. Less subtle than anhua 'hidden' decoration, its success was short lived and was fashionable only from the 1730s until about 1750. Jill McNeile has studies the staghunt pattern and learned to distinguish between Chinese and English bianco sopra bianco scroll work. She has observed that many of the Chinese porcelain pieces decorated with the staghunt in England have Chinese bianco sopra bianco scrollwork either overall so that the English enamels are on top of the white enamel, or filling the spaces between the panels containing the English staghunt scenes, occasionally augmented by English bianco sopra bianco. These apparently have been exported with blank panels. Plain white porcelain decorated with white enamel would have been seen as very dull and probably unsaleable in England so it is not surprising that they were invariably over-decorated. Other variations seen are in the gilt border which is often in ruyi form, in the colour of the rocks which can be a combination of yellow and dark pink or maroon instead of black, and in the colour of the orchid-like flower inside some cups; Chinese painted flowers thought to be gold and English pink. Although there are many different versions of the staghunt on Chinese porcelain, as some closely resemble English factory decoration it is difficult not to conclude that both Chinese and English porcelain were often decorated by the same enamellers. (Espir 2005, pp.227-229)
The painting on this set is done in a fine and delicate way with soft enamel colours. When comparing this set to the English over-decorated set published in Helen Espir's book European Decoration on Oriental Porcelain 1700-1830, (H. Espir, Jorge Welsh Books, London, UK, 2005), p.228, cat. 30, one can only conclude that this set is probably one of the sets that Espir mentioned as being 'a small number of pieces thought to have been decorated in China in the late 1740s-50s'.
Bianco sopra bianco, (Italian: white on white), is a decorative technique of white enamel over white or undecorated glazed porcelain, usually to create a lace-like effect. It was common around 1740-1750. (Kroes 2007, p.653)
For a Chinese teacup and saucer, over-decorated in England with the stag-hunt design, please see:
For other objects overdecorated with the stag-hunt design, please see:
- The Helen Espir Collection of European Decorated Oriental Porcelain, auction catalogue Woolley & Wallis Salisbury, 12 November 2014, p.70, cat. 419
- Have a Cup of Tea. Chinese Porcelain and Tea in North-West Germany, (Exhibition catalogue, Isensee Verlag, Oldenburg, 2015), p.134, cat. 127 / Made in China, Porzellan und Teekultur im Nordwesten, (Exhibition catalogue, Isensee Verlag, Oldenburg, 2015), p.168, cat. 127.
Condition:
Teacup: Some tiny fleabites and two frits to the rim
Saucer: Some tiny fleabites and two frits one with a short connected hairline to the rim.
References:
Espir 2005, pp.227-229 & cat. 30
Price: € 349 - $ 415 - £ 311
(the $ and £ prices are approximates and depend on the € price exchange rate)
Polychrome wares other since 1722 - Page 1
Object 2010C226
Sauce boat
China
1740-1750
Height 88 mm (3.46 inch), width 110 mm (4.33 inch), length handle to spout 246 mm (9.69 inch), dimensions of foot 93 mm x 75 mm (3.66 inch x 2.95 inch), weight 434 grams (15.31 ounce (oz.))
Sauce boat standing on an oval base, slightly waisted. The everted underglaze brown-edged rim (jia mangkou) is moulded in an undulating form. A turned over spout at one end, a higher arched loop handle on the other end. Decorated in underglaze blue, iron-red, gold and other overglaze enamels. The wavy rim is decorated with a double dark blue line, underneath which are three alternating panels. One is a white square with double-lined dark blue border, filled with a red flower. The next is a pale pink flower in a white lobed cartouche against a rose diaper pattern background. The third panel is a white lobed cartouche filled with a pale pink flower against a dark blue background, decorated with golden lacy network. Directly underneath the rim, on the inside of the sauce boat, there are alternating half-round panels. One is filled with a golden lacy network and lotus flower against a dark blue background, surrounded by a red border. The next is filled with a pale pink lotus flower with a rose diaper pattern background surrounded by a blue border. On the bottom of the sauce boat a riverscape with in the foreground several types of trees on rocks, with a little house on the far right and a bridge in the middle. In the background again trees on rocks and a pagoda. On the loop handle a single flowering stem. The oval foot with double blue line is hollow and glazed.
Sauce boats were introduced to the dinner table at the beginning of the 18th century. The fashion in the rest of Europe probably derived from the late 17th century French court, were as early as 1690 silver sauce boats with two spouts and handles were reported. In fact, some of the first early 18th century porcelain sauce boats in Imari style were made in this very form. Many Chinese export porcelain sauce boats derived from examples in silver, but were also modelled after earthenware and European porcelain examples. Sauce boats could be ordered separately, but by 1740-50 were almost always part of a dinner service. One of the earliest known dinner services, which also had sauce boats, was the service privately ordered in 1731 by Charles Peers, Mayor of London and Director of the English East India Company. The first separate sauce boats were shipped by the Dutch VOC no earlier than 1750, at the same time the VOC ordered the first true dinner services.
This sauce boat shows a clear resemblance to a type of sauceboat found on the East India man Geldermalsen, which sank in the evening of January 3, 1752 en route from Canton to the Netherlands. For examples of this sauce boat with similar form, please see:
- The Geldermalsen. History and Porcelain (C.J.A. Jörg, Groningen 1986), pp. 62-63, cat. nrs. 42-43.
- The Hatcher Porcelain Cargoes. The Complete Record (C. Sheaf & R. Kilburn, Oxford 1988), pp. 137-138, plate 180-181.
- The Choice of the Private Trader. The Private Market in Chinese Export Porcelain illustrated from the Hodroff Collection (D.S. Howard, London 1994), pp.122-123, cat.124.
- Made in China. Porcelain from the Leo and Doris Hodroff Collection at Winterthur (R.W. Fuchs II & D.S. Howard, Winterthur 2005), p.90, cat. 51.
With respect to the decoration and dating, it is also interesting to note that the particular motif of golden lacy network against a dark blue (or other colour) background, is called caillouté (‘pebbled decoration’) and was first seen on Sèvres porcelain around the middle of the eighteenth century.
For an example of a part dinner service with identical decoration, dated 1740, from the Hodroff collection, please see:
For another tureen and cover, with the same decoration, formerly part of the Benjamin Edwards III collection, please see:
For an identically decorated dish, please see:
Condition: A few tiny glaze rough spots to the edge of the rim and a glaze frit to the rim.
References:
Jörg 1982/1, pp.183-184, p.282
Sheaf & Kilburn 1988, plate 180-181
Lunsingh Scheurleer 1989, p.161, pp.176-177
Price: € 499 - $ 555 - £ 450
(the $ and £ prices are approximates and depend on the € price exchange rate)
Polychrome wares other since 1722 - Page 1
Object 2011412
Coffee cup
China
1740-1760
Height 65 mm (2.56 inch), diameter of rim 55 mm (2.17 inch), diameter of footring 26 mm (1.02 inch), weight 73 grams (2.96 ounce (oz.))
Coffee cup with handle on a footring and an underglaze brown-edged rim (jia mangkou). Polychrome decorated in black, gold and other overglaze enamels. Decorated with a shore landscape with nine ducks, (five in the water, three on land and one in flight), and three nests with eggs, a man is sitting against a tree trying to catch the ducks. Around the rim an intertwined scroll pattern border.
Condition: A frit to the rim and a firing tension hairline to the handle.
References:
Price: € 249 - $ 277 - £ 224
(the $ and £ prices are approximates and depend on the € price exchange rate)
Polychrome wares other since 1722 - Page 1
Object 2010C239
Dish
China
1710-1730
Height 50 mm (1.97 inch), diameter of rim 300 mm (11.81 inch), diameter of footring 170 mm (6.69 inch), weight 858 grams (30.27 ounce (oz.))
Dish on footring with a straight underglaze brown-edged rim (jia mangkou). Decorated in underglaze blue and famille verte enamels, iron-red, black enamel and gold with a flowering tree in a central roundel surrounded by a spearhead border. On the sides four cartouches filled with flowering plants and flanked by half flower heads reserved on a stylized leafy ground with single flower heads On the rim four groups of flowering chrysanthemum and lotus plants amongst a stylized depicting of water. On the reverse two peony flower sprays.
Tree-worship was widely spread throughout China in ancient times, as is evidenced for a long time by the reluctance of the people to cut down trees in the neighbourhood of temples and graves. Often, the shrine of a local god was placed at the roots or in the fork of a tree remarkable for its size and beauty. It was believed that the soul of the god resides in the tree, which is therefore held to be sacred. If dug up or cut down, the person doing so was liable to die. There are many references in Chinese literature to trees that bleed and utter cries of pain or indignation when hewed down. A strip of red cloth or paper is often attached to a tree in order to keep it safe from the spirits of evil, who always avoid that particular colour of happiness and good fortune. (Williams 1976, pp.407-408)
Condition: A Y-shaped hairline to the rim and a frit and two fleabites to the footring.
References:
Price: € 599 - $ 667 - £ 541
(the $ and £ prices are approximates and depend on the € price exchange rate)
Polychrome wares other since 1722 - Page 1
Object 2010740
Teacup and saucer
China
1740-1760
Height of teacup 46 mm (1.81 inch), diameter of rim 85 mm (3.35 inch), diameter of footring 40 mm (1.57 inch), weight 62 grams (2.19 ounce (oz.))
Height of saucer 28 mm (1.10 inch), diameter of rim 144 mm (5.67 inch), diameter of footring 84 mm (3.31 inch), weight 115 grams (4.06 ounce (oz.))
Teacup and saucer on footrings with moulded walls in the shape of lotus leaves and scalloped rims. Covered with a light-celadon green glaze and decorated in underglaze blue, iron-red and gold with a river scape with pagodas, flowering plants and trees. On the rims a trellis pattern border.
Condition saucer: Perfect.
Condition teacup: Perfect.
Price: € 299 - $ 333 - £ 270
(the $ and £ prices are approximates and depend on the € price exchange rate)
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