Batavia Brown (Capucin wares) 1700-1800

Object 2012296

Teapot

China

1730-1750

Height 131 mm (5.16 inch), diameter handle to spout 175 mm (6.89 inch), diameter of footring 55 mm (2.17 inch), weight with cover 416 grams (14.67 ounce (oz.)), weight cover 84 grams (2.96 ounce (oz.))

Teapot of globular shape on footring, straight spout with a curved C-shaped handle. Domed cover and a pointed knob. Batavia Brown covered with underglaze dark brown. Decorated in underglaze blue. On the body two fan-shaped reserves containing a bird perched upon a flowering branch and two small reserves filled with a single flower spray. The cover is similarly decorated en suite.

In the Netherlands, porcelain decorated in this type of underglaze brown has historically been called "Batavia Brown" or "Capucijnergoed" ("Chick-pea ware", after the legume). The first name may have been coined because most goods exported to The Netherlands from the East were sent via Batavia and has nothing to do with a Batavian production or decoration, It is a very common type with the decoration usually contained within medallions. Occasionally, a gold decoration has been painted on the brown glaze. The brown colour is achieved by using iron oxide as a pigment, which like underglaze blue, needs to be fired at high temperatures. Considerable quantities were exported to the Western and Inter-Asian markets from c.1700. The pieces are rarely refined and can be considered as articles for everyday use by the middle-classes. (Jörg 2002/2, p.120)

Condition: Perfect.

Reference:

Jörg 2002/2, p.120

Price: Sold.