Sold Ceramics
Sold Blue and White wares since 1722
Tea, Coffee and Chocolate wares
Page 2
Around 1680, Emperor Kangxi (1662–1722) established his authority over all parts of China after a long period of civil strife. The porcelain factories in Jingdezhen that were demolished in 1675 resumed production and within a few years exports were booming. Chinese junks sailed to Batavia, bringing their porcelain to the market. From there, it was shipped to the Netherlands in VOC (Dutch East India Company, 1602–1799) vessels. However, private individuals bypassed the Company and also imported huge quantities of porcelain to Holland. In Europe, a change in dining habits and the introduction of tea and coffee created new demands. New varieties of Chinese export porcelain were produced, including all kinds of Western shapes. Porcelain, sometimes in miniature, was frequently used to decorate house interiors in Europe.
Much porcelain of this period is decorated in a clear, transparent underglaze blue. Popular decorations included the Buddhist lotus motif, a pheasant with long tail feathers on a rock amidst flowers, and the ‘Long Eliza’ with the 'Dancing Fool', the Dutch name for a Chinese lady and a small boy depicted in a garden.
Kangxi porcelain is very well made, with a thin body, a balanced shape and a smooth glaze without impurities. Cobalt blue oxide was subtly applied in varying degrees of saturation, suggesting depth and volume. The colour ranges from a silvery to a deep dark blue; in the best pieces the details and the craftsmanship are amazing. However, due to stricter controls by officials, the freedom and easy way of painting that was so characteristic of the preceding Transitional period now gave way to a more formal style with an emphasis on symmetry and centralism.
Sold Ceramics - Sold Blue and White wares since 1722 - Tea, Coffee and Chocolate wares - Page 2
Object 2010554
Condiment jug
China
1720-1730
Height 110 mm (4.33 inch), diameter mouthrim 40 mm (1.58 inch), diameter footring 60 mm (2.36 inch)
Tapering cylindrical condiment jug on a flat unglazed base, the handle placed at an angle to the straight spout, domed cover with finial. Decorated in underglaze blue with flowering chrysanthemum sprays. On the handle and spout a single flowering stem. The cover is decorated en suite.
This condiment jug was, most likely, part of a cruet comprising set.
Condition: On the rim of the cover a few restored rim frits and chips. On the foot and top of the finial a small restored chip. From the rim, under the spout to the handle runs a restored U-shaped hairline.
Price: Sold.
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Object 2011493
Tea caddy
China
1720-1740
Height including cover 100 mm (3.94 inch), height excluding cover 93 mm (3.66 inch), dimensions 78 mm (3.07 inch) x 46 mm (1.81 inch), weight including cover 204 grams (7.20 ounce (oz.)), weight cover 16 grams (0.56 ounce (oz.))
Tea caddy of rectangular form with canted corners on a flat unglazed base. On the flat top an unglazed cylindrical mouth with a lid fitting cover (original). Decorated in underglaze blue with flowering plants on each facet of the body and shoulder. On the cover flower sprays and on top a single flowering stem.
The inside of the cover was used to as a unit of measurement to determine the amount of tea needed.
Condition: Various glaze rough spots to the edges, due to use. A firing flaw to the inside of the cover. Two shallow glaze chips to the shoulder and one to the mouthrim.
Price: Sold.
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Object 2012259
Tea caddy
China
1720-1730
Height with cover 114 mm (4.49 inch), height without cover 98 mm (3.86 inch), dimensions 86 mm (3.39 inch) x 55 mm (2.17 inch), diameter of mouthrim 23 mm (0.90 inch), weight with cover 276 grams (9.74 ounce (oz.)), weight cover 33 grams (1.16 ounce (oz.))
Tea caddy of rectangular form with canted corners, a flat shoulder with a short upright neck. The flat base is unglazed. The original cover is missing and replaced by silver mounts (marked). Decorated in underglaze blue. The shoulder rim is over-decorated in gold (Amsterdams Bont?). On the body a pagoda and shrubbery near a river running before a crenulated wall with a fortress and trees. The shoulder is decorated en suite. The silver mounts are marked with an unknown mark.
The scene of houses and shrubbery near a river running before a crenulated wall is unusual in Chinese Imari ware. This type of decoration, with the brick wall and the pagoda is often referred to as the 'Chinese wall' while others think it is a Chinese fortress within walls. (Gordon 1977, p.47)
Apparently the underglaze blue design with houses and shrubbery near a river running before a crenulated wall was popular at the time. In this comparison, between object 2012259 and sold object 2010567, we can clearly see the similarities in the underglaze blue and the Chinese Imari decoration.
The in gold on the over-decorated shoulder rim has also been applied to spots where the glaze had already been flaked off probably due to use. This proves that the over-decorating must have been done at a later time. A previous owner might have decided to add this over-decoration himself or have it added by a workshop specialised in Amsterdams Bont over-decoration at that time.
For identically, in Chinese Imari decorated objects, please see:
- Collecting Chinese Export Porcelain, (E. Gordon, Universe Books, New York, 1977), p. 47, cat 31.
- Porzellan aus China und Japan. Die Porzellangalerie der Landgrafen von Hessen-Kassel, (Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Kassel, Berlin 1990), p.355, cat. 138.
Condition: Some shallow glaze rough spots to the edges of the shoulder and a shallow chip to a corner of the foot.
References:
Price: Sold.
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Object 2011042C
Teacup and saucer
China
1723-1735
Height of teacup 29 mm (1.14 inch), diameter of rim 56 mm (2.20 inch), diameter of footring 30 mm (1.18 inch)
Height of saucer 15 mm (0.59 inch), diameter of rim 90 mm (3.54 inch), diameter of footring 50 mm (1.97 inch)
Teacup and saucer on footrings, slightly everted rims. Decorated in underglaze blue with a fishing "Long Eliza" figure in a fenced garden landscape with insects in flight, a tree and flowering lotus plants. Round the rim a zig-zag lines pattern border. The teacup is decorated en suite.
Condition:
Teacup: Perfect.
Saucer: Perfect.
Price: Sold.
Not illustrated object 2011042B, another identically shaped, sized and decorated, sold teacup and saucer.
Sold Ceramics - Sold Blue and White wares since 1722 - Tea, Coffee and Chocolate wares - Page 2
Object 2012416
Saucer
China
1723-1735
Height 19 mm (0.75 inch), diameter of rim 115 mm (4.53 inch), diameter of footring 64 mm (2.52 inch), weight 56 grams (1.98 ounce (oz.))
Saucer on footring, slightly everted rim. Decorated in underglaze blue with a nightly scene of a man standing in a garden landscape greeting a woman with a child in her arms floating on a cloud. Around the rim a small zig-zag lines pattern border. The reverse is undecorated.
The woman with a child in her arms is, by floating on a cloud, characterized as a heavenly being. According to Butler, she is Qiqiannü, the seventh daughter of the heavenly King of Jade. In the popular Han Dynasty legend 'The Heavenly Mariage' (Tian Xianpei), the immortal princess secretly marries the mortal Dong Yong. When her father find out about this, he orders her back to heaven, permitting her to meet her husband only once a year. Upon meeting him for the first time, one year after her return to heaven, she shows him her new-born child. This scene was also depicted on blue-and-white porcelain in the late Ming Dynasty.
For a similarly in 'Milk and Blood' decorated Chinese dish, please see :
According to Aronson Delftware Antiquairs sinds 1881, he woman with the child in her arms hovers on a cloud, which characterizes her as a heavenly being and may suggest her identity as the Goddess Guan Yin. An icon of mercy and passion, Guan Yin also holds a strong connection to the Chinese porcelain objects. Although Guan Yin reached enlightenment, she decided to stay on Earth, remaining a “Pu Sa.” She wanted to help humankind achieve better karma, leading them to the Western Heavens to achieve serenity and joy. Because she had the ability to comfort the sick and senile, Guan Yin was broadly admired and adored. She touched their hearts and souls, creating a sense of peace and relief amongst those who were less fortunate. Guan Yin is also often worshipped by people wanting a child and is therefore also seen as the bringer of children, hence the baby she is carrying in her arms. (www.aronson.com/milk-blood-porcelain-delftware/)
For a Delft faience large dish, c.1720, with an identical scene in iron-red and gold please see the website of Aronson Delftware Antiquairs since 1881:
Condition: A firing flaw to base and three tiny fleabites to the rim.
References:
Price: Sold.
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Object 2010103
Teacup and saucer
China
1723-1735
Height of teacup 29 mm (1.14 inch), diameter of rim 57 mm (2.24 inch), diameter of footring 25 mm (0.98 inch)
Height of saucer 15 mm (0.59 inch), diameter of rim 92 mm (3.62 inch), diameter of footring 50 mm (1.97 inch)
Teacup and saucer on footrings, sligthly everted rims. Decorated in underglaze blue with three figures in a garden landscape, birds in flight and walking chickens. Round the rims zig-zag lines pattern borders. The teacup is decorated en suite.
Condition:
Teacup: Perfect.
Saucer: A very tiny fleabites to the rim.
Price: Sold.
Sold Ceramics - Sold Blue and White wares since 1722 - Tea, Coffee and Chocolate wares - Page 2
Object 201099F
Saucer
China
1723-1735
Height 17 mm (0.67 inch), diameter of rim 104 mm (4.09 inch), diameter of footring 58 mm (2.28 inch)
Saucer on footring, slightly everted rim. Decorated in underglaze blue with the 'Tu Hai' pattern, a military figure marching with a lady companion towards a flagpole in the grounds of a pavilion underneath a pine tree. Around the rim a small zig-zag lines pattern border. The reverse is undecorated.
Condition: An unglazed spot and two tiny fleabites to the rim.
Price: Sold.
More pictures of object 201099C, another identically shaped, sized and decorated, sold saucer >>
Sold Ceramics - Sold Blue and White wares since 1722 - Tea, Coffee and Chocolate wares - Page 2
Object 2010914
Saucer
China
1723-1735
Height 17 mm (0.67 inch), diameter of rim 106 mm (4.17 inch), diameter of footring 57 mm (2.24 inch)
Saucer on footring, slightly everted rim. Decorated in underglaze blue with a high ranking Chinese Military officer sitting on a terrace looking at an attendant playing the drums near a flagpole waving a flag stating his military rank. Another figure with a bow and arrow is shooting at a caged bird. On the rim a cloud scroll pattern border. The reverse is undecorated.
Condition: Restored.
Price: Sold.
Sold Ceramics - Sold Blue and White wares since 1722 - Tea, Coffee and Chocolate wares - Page 2
Object 2010319
Saucer
China
1720-1740
Height 18 mm (0.71 inch), diameter of rim 119 mm (4.69 inch), diameter of footring 69 mm (2.72 inch)
Saucer on footring, slightly everted rim. Decorated in underglaze blue with a flower basket filled with a flowering chrysanthemum on a taihu rock, in the background a bamboo and peony tree growing from a taihu rock. On the sides four stylised ruyi heads.
Condition: Perfect.
Price: Sold.
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Object 2012315
Covered cup
China
1720-1750
Height with cover 125 mm (4.92 inch), diameter of rim (ex handles) 98 mm (3.86 inch), diameter of footring 52 mm (2.05 inch), weight with cover 366 grams (12.91 ounce (oz.)), weight cover 124 grams (4.37 ounce (oz.))
A covered (sugar-candy) cup on a high splayed food with a domed cover with finial, applied with two lobbed handles. Decorated in underglaze blue with a garden landscape with a large flowering peony and a bamboo plant growing from behind a fence. Round the rim four reserves filled with fruit on a diaper-pattern ground. On the splayed foot two groups of flowering aster. The cover is decorated en suite.
Such covered cups where most likely made after a European form and may have been used to keep lumps of sugar-candy which were served when drinking tea.
For a similarly shaped covered cup, please see:
Condition: A popped bubble of glaze, caused by the firing process and a glaze rough spot to the rim of the cover. Two shallow glaze rough spots to the underside of both handles and a chip to the inner footring.
References:
Price: Sold.
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Object 2011907
Teacup and saucer
China
1750-1770
Height of teacup 47 mm (1.85 inch), diameter of rim 79 mm (3.11 inch), diameter of footring 36 mm (1.42 inch), weight 70 grams (2.47 ounce (oz.))
Height of saucer 30 mm (1.18 inch), diameter of rim 124 mm (4.88 inch), diameter of footring 70 mm (2.76 inch), weight 113 grams (3.99 ounce (oz.))
Teacup and saucer on high footrings, straight sides the edges slightly fluted. Decorated in underglaze blue with a mountainous landscape with various trees and bushes. In it to the left a European house with a tower, in the background to the right another European building. On the rim a border with stylized latticework, frogspawn and leaves and a rectangular meander. The teacup is decorated en suite.
This decoration with the European style houses in underglaze blue is quite unusual. Considering the style of the rim an American or English provenance is likely. These buildings could for instance have been situated in Macao or Canton near the Pearl River.
This scene is somewhat reminiscent of porcelain decorated with Burghley House, dated c.1745. Of course the Burghley example is more refined, but beside the subject of European buildings some trees with uncommon foliage are found on both. Another comparison that comes to mind when looking at the style and detailing of the buildings are some plates which were directly copied from a Dutch Delft tile, please see object: Chine de commande - Western Subjects 1680-1800 - Various Subjects - Outdoor Scenes - Object 2011671, Perhaps another Delft tile was used here?
For a similarly decorated spoon tray, please see:
For an example of a dish decorated with Burghley House, please see:
Condition teacup: Perfect.
Condition saucer: A popped bubble of glaze, caused during the firing process, to the rim.
References:
Price: Sold.
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Object 2011595
Tea caddy
China
1780-1820
Height with cover 165 mm (6.50 inch), height without cover 154 mm (6.06 inch), dimensions 115 mm (4.53 inch) x 59 mm (2.32 inch), diameter of mouthrim 27 mm (1.06 inch), weight with cover 575 grams (20.28 ounce (oz.)), weight cover 24 grams (0.85 ounce (oz.))
Tea caddy of rectangular form with canted corners on a rectangular foot with a glazed base. Decorated in underglaze blue. On the flat top an unglazed cylindrical mouth. The original cover is missing. Fitted with a mahogany cover. Decorated with a panel showing a maiden-goddess bearing a spray of fruit in a garden landscape with a deer, a flowering tree, rocks, clouds and a bat in flight all in low relief alternating with a panel filled with a flowering lotus. Around all edges meander pattern borders.
The maiden-goddess is Hsi Wang Mu, or the 'Queen Mother of the West' / 'Royal Lady of the West' is a legendary being supposed to dwell upon the K'un-lun Mountains. In a large and beautiful palace, surrounded by extensive grounds she presides over the host of the genii and guards the peaches, which ripen but once in 3,000 years and confer immortality upon those who eat them. (Williams 1976, pp.226-227), (Howard 1994, pp.282-283)
For a similarly shaped and in low relief decorated tea caddy please see:
Condition: A X-shaped hairline to the base.
References:
Lunsingh Scheurleer 1977, cat. 111
Lunsingh Scheurleer 1989, cat. 166
Price: Sold.
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