Sold Ceramics - Sold Blue and White Kangxi Period 1662-1722 - Tea, Coffee and Chocolate wares - Page 3

Object 2012297

Teapot

China

1700-1720

Height with cover 112 mm (4.41 inch), height without cover 85 mm (3.35 inch), diameter handle to spout 174 mm (6.85 inch), diameter of mouthrim 45 mm (1.77 inch), diameter of footring 53 mm (2.09 inch), weight including cover 326 grams (11.49 ounce (oz.)), weight cover 31 grams (1.09 ounce (oz.))

Globular teapot on a footring. The original spout is missing and replaced by a straight silver spout. Curved C-shaped handle. The original cover is missing and replaced by an inlaying silver cover which is connected by a silver chain to a silver mount on the handle. Decorated in underglaze blue on one side with a panel filled with wicker flower basket with handles and ribbons filled with various flowering plants on the reverse side another panel filled with a basket with cover on a low table surrounded by books, scrolls, a leaf, a single flower and antiquities. Round the foot petal shaped panels filled with flower sprays. above and below the spout a single flower spray and on the handle various flower sprays.

Only grown in China and Japan during the 17th Century, tea became known in the Netherlands early because the Dutch East India Company (VOC) shipped small quantities home. Its use as a beverage was established slowly, and was probably started by retired VOC employees who had become accustomed to drinking tea in the East. At a tea party, the expensive beverage was served in small teapots, one for each guest, filled with the leaves of the type he or she preferred. The tea was poured into small cups, while the teapot was refilled with hot water from a metal or sometimes ceramic kettle. (Jörg 2011/2, p.131)

Condition: Replaced spout and cover, a short firing tension hairline above the handle, caused by the firing process.

Price: Sold.