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

Object 2011739

Teacup and saucer

China

1700-1720

Height of teacup 52 mm (2.05 inch), diameter of rim 84 mm (3.31 inch), diameter of footring: 36 mm (1.42 inch), weight 74 grams (2.61 ounce (oz.))

Height of saucer 24 mm (0.94 inch), diameter of rim 134 mm (5.28 inch), diameter of footring 71 mm (2.80 inch), weight 106 grams (3.74 ounce (oz.))

Teacup and saucer on footrings, the teacup with a slightly everted moulded rim and a scalloped edge, the saucer with a moulded flat rim and a scalloped edge. Decorated in underglaze blue with a phoenix perched on pierced rockwork flanked by flowering plants. In the air two courting cranes and various birds in flight. Around the rim a zig-zag lines pattern border. On the reverse, around the footring, a border of twelve moulded lotus petals. The teacup is decorated en suite.

Grus montignesia, or the Manchurian crane. 'Next to the fêng (vide PHOENIX), this bird is the most celebrated in Chinese legends, in which it is endowed with many mythical attributes. It is reputed as the patriarch of the feathered tribe and the aerial courser of the immortals. The crane 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. (Williams 1976, p.101), (Pijl-Ketel 1982, p.279)

The standing Phoenix and his environment that since he is a chimerical creature, the phoenix may adopt the 'image' of natural birds and also 'influence' them to stimulate him, provided only stunning beauty is the result. This unique creature is composed of admirable parts of various animals. The phoenix has the head of a pheasant, surmounted by a cock's comb, the beak of a swallow, the neck of a tortoise. He subsides on the seeds of bamboo and on sacred springs. He is virtue and benevolence, strides rather than walks. He is over six feet tall. Flying, he fills the air with music. The feng huang is the phoenix of Chinese writers, and like its counterpart in Arabian history, is adorned with everything that is beautiful among birds. The etymology of the name implies that itis the Emperor of all birds; and as is the unicorn among quadrupeds so is the phoenix the most honourable among the feathered tribes. (Williams 1976, p.323), (Harrisson 1979, pp.63-68)

To this day there are 16 identically shaped and decorated teacups and saucers in the Hluboká Castle (Prague) collection with this ornamentation, so it can be assumed that the nobility used this crockery, especially on festive occasions. The decoration represents the classic type abundantly used towards the end of the Kangxi period. Similar cups with phoenix or crane motifs were also found during the archaeological exploration of the shipwrecked Chinese junk known as the Ca Mau (1725). (Amsterdam 2007, pp.116-117), (Suchomel 2015, p.224)

For an identically shaped and decorated teacup and saucer, please see:

300 Treasures, (F. Suchomel, Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague, Prague, 2015), p.224, cat. 105.

Condition:

Teacup: A restored frit and hairline to the rm.

Saucer: A short hairline and some tiny frits to the rim. Some frits and chips to the footring

References:

Williams 1976, p.101 & p.323

Harrisson 1979, pp.63-68

Pijl-Ketel 1982, p.279

Amsterdam 2007, pp.116-117

Suchomel 2015, cat. 105

Price: Sold.