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Chinese Export famille rose porcelain jug and cover
Qianlong period 18th century - the French silver mounts stamped with a cock's head corresponding to 1744-1750 |
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In ‘Chinese Works of Art 2008’ our spotlight is on a unique selection of works from the Song dynasty to the Qianlong period.
Bronzes include a censer, inlaid with silver and gold, in the form of a ferocious looking qilin (no. 2) - a thermoluminescence test confirming its date as Song dynasty; it pays homage to an earlier artistic tradition, as do two later inlaid archaistic vessels of the 16th and 17th centuries (nos. 3 and 5). Amongst the Buddhist bronzes, a magnificent gilt bronze figure of Avalokitesvara, Shunzhi period - the first reign of the Qing dynasty (no. 7) - conveys an expression of contemplation and serenity; this figure is still very much in the late Ming style. A gilt bronze Amitayus (no. 8), and a gilt bronze Sakyamuni Buddha (no. 9), both Kangxi, demonstrate the Tibetan influence that, subsequently, permeated the style of Chinese Buddhist bronze sculpture.
Within the cloisonné section, we illustrate two examples of Imperial Ming enamel ware - one Jingtai (no. 12), the other Wanli (no. 15) - both mark and period. A third Imperial cloisonné piece is included - an enamel bottle vase, Qianlong - also mark and period (no. 18). By contrast, we also illustrate three decorative pairs of birds of the Qianlong period - each pair very different in character, colour palette and style (nos. 16, 17 and 19).
An elaborately decorated and impressive lacquer table inlaid with auspicious white jade bats, shou medallions, and chimes (no. 21) is handsomely illustrated within our furniture section.
Hardstones include a finely carved, pale celadon jade carving of a carp swimming in a lotus pond, 18th century on an original carved zitan wood stand (no. 33); and a rock crystal brush washer group, 18th century - also finely carved and resting on an original stained ivory stand (no. 34).
A group of fine and diverse carved cinnabar lacquer wares - from the Southern Song dynasty to the Qianlong period - is well represented. One of the earliest pieces, a carved two-colour circular box and cover (no. 35) - its Southern Song date confirmed by a carbon 14 test - is highly decorative, the black lacquer carved through to a bright cinnabar ground. A red lacquer foliated dish of the same period (no. 38) makes an interesting contrast in its pared down simplicity. An elaborately decorated and rare oval cinnabar tray with a raised grape design (no. 40) demonstrates the innovative techniques employed during the Yuan dynasty. Other splendid examples of mid-Ming carved lacquer include a large Imperial Xuande mark and period cinnabar square tray - its extremely fine carving depicting a pair of phoenix in flight amongst ten fully blooming lotus flowers (no. 41).
Our porcelain section begins in the Wanli period - with a mark and period wucai garlic-head vase that depicts four writhing five-clawed dragons in alternating green and red enamels (no. 55). Also included are a famille verte canister and cover (no. 62), and a famille rose jug and cover (no. 67) - both with French silver mounts, of the period; a large Kangxi charger (no. 63) is painted with a dynamic design in brilliantly coloured enamels and represents the pinnacle of famille verte porcelain.
Amongst the works of art, a silk brocade tangka (no. 68), tested and dated to the early Ming dynasty depicts Padmapani, a manifestation of Avalokitesvara; it is finely woven, and almost certainly a product of the Imperial workshops. Our European merchant in clay (no. 71) is a wonderful portrait figure by Amoy Chinqua who worked in Canton in the early 18th century. Both Chinese and European influenced enamel wares are illustrated - in a Canton enamel gu vase, Qianlong mark and period (no. 73), and an Imperial Canton enamel bowl, cover and saucer, Qianlong (no. 74). Also included in our exhibition is a rare ruyi sceptre in carved ivory, Qianlong (no. 72) and three Qianlong mark and period glass vessels (nos. 79, 80 and 81) - along with further carved pieces in wood, bamboo, boxwood, and horn.
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