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Sold Famille Rose wares 1725-1800
Tea, Coffee and Chocolate wares
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There was great demand for Chinese porcelain in Europe at the end of the 17th century. This led to the production of a variety of shapes and decorations while the competition between private merchants also contributed to a very varied supply. Besides porcelain decorated in underglaze blue, famille verte and Chinese Imari, many other types emerged, decorated with overglaze enamels that were sometimes combined with underglaze blue. The most important development, however, was the use of a pink-red enamel around 1725. Porcelain decorated with this enamel is called famille rose. Within a very short time this type supplanted famille verte and became the popular choice for all kinds of export porcelain. Mixing the rose with white enamel created shades of colour that suggested depth and volume. Famille rose knows a great variety in quality and decorations. The name was invented in the 19th century; before that it was simply called 'enameled'. Rose enamel was first developed in the Imperial workshops in Beijing and applied on enameled copper and bronze objects. Western chemical knowledge introduced by the Jesuits at the court around 1700 probably played a role. Since c.1725 it also was used on porcelain in Jingdezhen. Initially, the colour had a lilac shade but became a proper pink after c.1730. It was applied rather thickly and, unlike the very thin iron-red, can easily be felt on top of the glaze. Rose was applied on all types of export porcelain and there are countless combinations with other enamels.
Sold Ceramics - Sold Famille Rose wares 1725-1800 - Tea, Coffee and Chocolate wares - Page 1
Object 2010943
Tea caddy
China
1740-1750
Height with cover 120 mm (4.72 inch), diameter 73 mm (2.87 inch), diameter of mouthrim 32 mm (1.26 inch)
diameter of footring 50 mm (1.96 inch)
Tea caddy of ovoid form on footring. The domed cover with knob, although dating from the same period and fitting perfectly, does not belong. Applied scroll work around the spreading foot. Fitted with a marked Dutch silver mount. Decorated in various famille rose enamels with a couple riding on horseback and a following attendant carrying a banner. On the cover a chrysanthemum flower head. The silver marks explained: the maker's mark, unidentified. The sword mark was used (1814-1905) as the standard mark on articles too small for the full hallmarking.
The term 'famille rose' was first coined by the 19th-century French author Albert Jacquemart, who distinguished between specific groups in his descriptions of Oriental ceramics. (Jörg 2003/2, p.25)
Condition: Perfect.
References:
Jacquemart & Le Blant 1862, pp. 77-105.
Price: Sold.
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Object 2011072A
Teacup and saucer
China
1730-1740
Height of teacup 40 mm (1.57 inch), diameter of rim 75 mm (2.95 inch), diameter of footring 34 mm (1.34 inch)
Height of saucer 19 mm (0.75 inch), diameter of rim 119 mm (4.69 inch), diameter of footring 77 mm (3.03 inch)
Teacup and saucer on footrings, straight rims. Decorated in various famille rose enamels with a peony flower head, on the sides The central representation surrounded by a cell-pattern ground enriched with flowering bamboo, leaves and four medallions each filled with a single lotus flower head. On the sides four shaped medallions filled with a single lotus flower head. On the rim a trellis-pattern border with four cartouches filled with a lotus flower head. The reverse is undecorated. The teacup is decorated en suite.
For an identically decorated set of teacups and saucers, please see:
Condition:
Teacup: A fleabite and a short hairline to the rim.
Saucer: A tiny hairline to the rim.
References:
Jacquemart & Le Blant 1862, pp. 77-105
Price: Sold.
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Object 2010962
Teacup and saucer
China
1730-1740
Height of teacup 37 mm (1.46 inch), diameter of rim 72 mm (2.83 inch), diameter of footring 31 mm (1.22 inch)
Height of saucer 20 mm (0.79 inch), diameter of rim 114 mm (4.49 inch), diameter of footring 67 mm (2.64 inch
Teacup and saucer on footrings, slightly everted rims. Decorated in various famille rose enamels with a central flowering peony spray surrounded by flowering lotus plants alternating with flower sprays on a blue enamel ground. On the rim a trellis-pattern border with four reserves filled with flower heads. The reverse is undecorated. The teacup is decorated en suite.
Condition:
Teacup: Some wear to the blue and white enamel.
Saucer: Two tiny shallow fleabites the footring.
References:
Jacquemart & Le Blant 1862, pp. 77-105
Price: Sold.
Sold Ceramics - Sold Famille Rose wares 1725-1800 - Tea, Coffee and Chocolate wares - Page 1
Object 2010629
Coffee cup
China
1730-1740
Height 64 mm (2.52 inch), diameter of rim 55 mm (2.17 inch), diameter of footring 30 mm (1.18 inch)
Coffee cup with handle on footring. Decorated in various famille rose enamels with two ladies standing in a fenced garden with threes, plants and taihu (garden) rocks, observing a man jumping over a wall. On the rim a trellis pattern border with four reserves filled with flower heads.
Romance of the Western Chamber
The love story' Romance of the Western Chamber' (Xixiang ji) ranks among the most famous literary works of China. Its importance for young people can be compared to that of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' in the West. 'Romance of the Western Chamber' was written by Wang Shifu (1260-1336). There already existed a short story in the Tang dynasty titled 'Biography of Yingying' (Yingying Zhuan) by Yuan Zhen (779-831), but Wang Shifu adapted it by adding details and giving it a happy rather than a sad ending. It tells the story of a forbidden love affair between the civil servant Zhang Sheng, who is gifted, but of a poor family background, and the pretty Cui Yingying, daughter of the Prime Minister. The two young people have their first encounter in a Buddhist temple, where Yingying and her mother have taken lodgings when accompanying the coffin of the recently deceased father back home. Suddenly, the temple is besieged by a local gang of outlaws, who demand the daughter to be handed over. Yingying's mother promises her daughter's hand in marriage to whoever saves the daughter from falling into the hands of the gang leader. However, when Zhang succeeds in doing so with the help of General Du, his childhood friend, she does not keep her promise. The young couple start a secret affair, supported by Hongniang ('Lady in Red'), Yingying's maid. When Yingying's mother discovers the affair, she consents to the marriage on the condition that Zhang passes the final examination for the highest position in the civil service of the capital, Zhang does so well, that he is granted a top position. (Suebsman 2019, p.43)
On this coffee cup we see the probably best-known scene of the Romance. Zhang climbs over the wall which separates his home from Yingying's abode by way of a willow. In her room in the west wing of the building, the Western Chamber, the two of them finally become intimate. (Suebsman 2019, p.51)
For a similarly in polychrome enamels decorated beaker, please see:
For a similarly in underglaze blue decorated milk jug, please see:
Condition: A tiny firing flaw to the handle.
References:
Jacquemart & Le Blant 1862, pp. 77-105
Harrisson 1985, cat. 123 & 124
Jörg & Van Campen 1997, cat. 240
Price: Sold.
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Object 2011097/125
Teacup and saucer
China
1730-1750
Height of teacup 36 mm (1.42 inch), diameter of rim 63 mm (2.48 inch), diameter of footring 30 mm (1.18 inch)
Height of saucer 18 mm (0.71 inch), diameter of rim 108 mm (4.25 inch), diameter of footring 58 mm (2.28 inch)
Teacup and saucer on footrings, slightly everted rims. Decorated in various famille rose enamels with a garden scene, showing a fence, a tree, taihu (garden) rocks with flowering plants and a woman with a fan observing a couple inside a pavilion partly obscured by curtains. The reverse is undecorated. The teacup is decorated en suite.
Romance of the Western Chamber
The love story' Romance of the Western Chamber' (Xixiang ji) ranks among the most famous literary works of China. Its importance for young people can be compared to that of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' in the West. 'Romance of the Western Chamber' was written by Wang Shifu (1260-1336). There already existed a short story in the Tang dynasty titled 'Biography of Yingying' (Yingying Zhuan) by Yuan Zhen (779-831), but Wang Shifu adapted it by adding details and giving it a happy rather than a sad ending. It tells the story of a forbidden love affair between the civil servant Zhang Sheng, who is gifted, but of a poor family background, and the pretty Cui Yingying, daughter of the Prime Minister. The two young people have their first encounter in a Buddhist temple, where Yingying and her mother have taken lodgings when accompanying the coffin of the recently deceased father back home. Suddenly, the temple is besieged by a local gang of outlaws, who demand the daughter to be handed over. Yingying's mother promises her daughter's hand in marriage to whoever saves the daughter from falling into the hands of the gang leader. However, when Zhang succeeds in doing so with the help of General Du, his childhood friend, she does not keep her promise. The young couple start a secret affair, supported by Hongniang ('Lady in Red'), Yingying's maid. When Yingying's mother discovers the affair, she consents to the marriage on the condition that Zhang passes the final examination for the highest position in the civil service of the capital, Zhang does so well, that he is granted a top position. (Suebsman 2019, p.43)
On this teacup and saucer wee see Zhang and Yingying make love while Hongniang stands outside to protect their privacy. This scene very decently rendered here, was regarded as pornographic in China and until recently printed or painted depictions were often censored. This act was a main reason why the authorities and the literati declared the play scandalous and immoral, not only because they are engaging in sex before marriage, but also because it happened at the woman's initiative. Of course, this greatly added to its popularity. (Jörg 2011, p.100, Scene 18)
For identically decorated objects, please see:
- Chinese Ceramics in the Collection of the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, The Ming and Qing Dynasties, (C.J.A. Jörg in collaboration with J. van Campen, Philip Wilson in association with The Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, London 1997), p.158, cat. 172.
- Famille Verte, Chinese Porcelain in Green Enamels, (C.J.A. Jörg, Schoten, 2011), p.100, Scene 18.
Condition:
Teacup: Three tiny fleabites to the rim.
Saucer: A tiny hairline, two fleabites and two frits to the rim.
References:
Jacquemart & Le Blant 1862, pp. 77-105
Jörg & Van Campen 1997, cat. 172
Price: Sold.
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Object 2010501
Saucer
China
1730-1740
Height 18 mm (0.71 inch), diameter of rim 106 mm (4.17 inch), diameter of footring 59 mm (2.32 inch)
Saucer on footring, slightly everted rim. Decorated in various famille rose enamels with a lady and a spotted deer standing in a fenced garden with flowering trees, taihu (garden) rocks and flowering plants. A servant is offering a sacred lingzhi to the spotted deer .
The figure depicted is Xi Wang Mu, goddess of death and immortality. The mushroom being presented by the servant is a symbol of long life and immortality. The blossoming plum tree stands for youth and new life.
Condition: Two tiny hairlines, two frits and a fleabite to the rim.
References:
Jacquemart & Le Blant 1862, pp. 77-105
Price: Sold.
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Object 2010989
Saucer
China
1730-1750
Height 19 mm (0.75 inch), diameter of rim 105 mm (4.13 inch), diameter of footring 61 mm (2.40 inch)
Saucer on footring, slightly everted rim. Decorated in various famille rose enamels with a lady (teacher) sitting on a low table while leaning on a pile of books watching a little girl (her pupil) play in a fenced garden with taihu rocks and flowering plants. Also on the table a ruyi-sceptre, in the background lingzhi.
A Ruyi (如意, lit. 'as desired'; as [you] wish) is a curved decorative object that serves as a ceremonial sceptre in Chinese Buddhism or a talisman symbolizing power and good fortune in Chinese folklore. A traditional ruyi has a long S-shaped handle and a head fashioned like a fist, cloud, or lingzhi mushroom. (source: Wikipdia)
The lingzhi (mushroom) is a symbol of long life and immortality. The blossoming plum tree stands for youth and new life.
Condition: A tiny short hairline to the rim.
References:
Jacquemart & Le Blant 1862, pp. 77-105
Price: Sold.
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Object 2011195
Saucer
China
1740-1760
Height 18 mm (0.71 inch), diameter of rim 108 mm (4.25 inch), diameter of footring 64 mm (2.52 inch)
Saucer on a footring, slightly everted rim. Decorated in various famille rose enamels with a flowering peony tree and a chrysanthemum plant with a pheasant and a butterfly in flight. The reverse is undecorated.
Condition: Two fleabites, a frit and a chip with a short connected hairline to the rim.
References:
Jacquemart & Le Blant 1862, pp. 77-105
Price: Sold.
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Object 2010453
Saucer
China
1730-1740
Height 16 mm (0.63 inch), diameter of rim 104 mm (4.10 inch), diameter of footring: 61 mm (2.40 inch)
Saucer on footring, slightly everted rim. Decorated in various famille rose enamels with flowering prunus and chrysanthemum trees growing from behind a fence and a single butterfly in flight. The reverse is undecorated.
Condition: A fleabite, a frit and a hairline to the rim.
References:
Jacquemart & Le Blant 1862, pp. 77-105.
Price: Sold.
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Object 2010431
Saucer
China
1730-1740
Height 16 mm (0.63 inch), diameter of rim 96 mm (3.78 inch), diameter of footring 54 mm (2.13 inch), weight 51 grams (1.80 ounce (oz.))
Saucer on footring, straight rim. Decorated in various famille rose enamels, iron-red and gold with a central roundel filled with a 'Long Eliza' in a garden holding a basket filled with flowers. On the sides three scalloped cartouches, filled with a flower spray, reserved on a ground of flower scrolls in gold and iron-red. The reverse is undecorated.
In the Netherlands, these slender women engaged in some form of activity in a landscape or on a veranda, were called 'lange lijzen', translated in English as Long Eliza's. The term 'famille rose' was first coined by the 19th-century French author Albert Jacquemart, who distinguished between specific groups in his descriptions of Oriental ceramics. (Jörg 2002/2, p.96), (Jörg 2003/2, p.25)
Condition: A tiny firing flaw to the footring.
References:
Jacquemart & Le Blant 1862, pp. 77-105
Price: Sold.
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