Chine de commande - Western Subjects 1680-1800 - Mythological and Religious Subjects - Mythological Subjects

Object 2010821

Teacup

China

1740-1745

Height 40 mm (1.58 inch), diameter of rim 75 mm (2.95 inch), diameter of footring 35 mm (1.38 inch), weight 40 grams (1.41 ounce (oz.))

Teacup on footring. Polychrome decorated in various overglaze enamels with a mythological scene. The winged Cupid holds a crimson heart before the goddess's Venus eyes, while she, with garlands in her lap, reaches down to folds of the gown about her knee. On the bottom a single flower spray. (Howard & Ayers 1978, vol. 1, pp. 330-331)

This scene was most likely taken loosely from the same original, probably an European print of which the original has not been identified as a Meissen porcelain painted with 'Venus and Cupid'. In the British Museum is just such a bowl painted in the workshop of J.F. Metzsch of Bayreuth where a similar Cupid is on the right of Venus and a domed building behind her. (Howard & Ayers 1978, vol. 1, pp. 330-331)

Although occasionally identified as Venus and Cupid, the iconography suggests that the two figures are Flora and Zephyr. Wearing a décolleté dress and a blossom in her hair, the goddess of flowers clasps a garland as the winged god of the west wind leans toward her with a single flower in his hand. A popular subject with erotic appeal that is much depicted in Western art, the scene is reminiscent of the courtesans whose excesses were part of the Floralia-a Roman springtime festival. (Litzenburg 2003, p.191)

An identically decorated milk jug was sold at:

Sotheby's, New York, Wednesday, January 30, 1985, Important Chinese Export Porcelain from the Mottahedeh Collection, object 204

For similarly decorated objects, please see:

Condition: A hairline with a restored frit to the rim.

References:

Howard & Ayers 1978, vol.1, cat. 326

New York 1985, lot 204

Hervouët 1986, cat. 13.58

Jörg 1989/2, cat. 75

Litzenburg 2003, cat. 190

Price: € 499 Currency Converter