Sold Ceramics - Sold Blue and White Kangxi Period 1662-1722 - Western Shapes - Page 1

Object 2011598

Salt

China

c.1700

Height 61 mm (2.40 inch), diameter of concave scale 105 mm (4.13 inch), diameter of footring 54 mm (2.13 inch), weight 155 grams (5.47 ounce (oz.))

Circular salt on footring with a high splayed moulded foot and a deep recessed base, a moulded bulb between the foot and the shoulder. The concave scale with a recessed centre. The spirally moulded rim, extending downwards, fluted in eight lobes. Decorated in underglaze blue. The moulded panels round the foot are filled with a flowering aster alternating with two panels filled with flowering peony. On the moulded bulb a spiral pattern border and around the shoulder four moulded panels filled with flowering branches. On top decorated in the centre with a single flowering stem in a double circle surrounded by eight moulded spiralling panels filled with flowering branches.

The shape of this salt clearly derived from an European, possibly silver, example which in turn was decorated with an imitation of a Chinese Kangxi floral pattern. It dates from a time when a salt was an exotic object that was prominently placed on a richly laid table. With many Christian connotations, salt was an important seasoning at dinner before the 19th century and salts were larger and more elaborate than they are today.

For identically shaped and decorated salts, please see:

For a similarly shaped salt, please see:

Sold Ceramics - Sold Blue and White Kangxi Period 1662-1722 - Western Shapes - Page 1 - Object 2010530.

Condition: A frit, two glaze rough spots and some shallow glaze chips all to the rim.

References:

Lunsingh Scheurleer 1968, cat. 171, afb. 11

Hartog 1990, cat 66

Jörg & Van Campen 1997, cat. 295

Jörg 2011/2, cat. 142 & 143

Price: Sold.