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Rare Form Asparagus Holders #7885cd sold

A rather rare and unusual form, something we have not seen in our many years of business: what we think is a pair of Chinese export porcelain Nanking patterned knife rests modeled with shaped sides and hand-painted in underglaze blue with Chinese riverscape scenes.  Used to hold your dinner knife while you were eating to protect the tablecloth from being soiled, these are rather well made and decorated and would have indicated a host’s refinement and sophistication to his dinner guests. Another suggestion has been made that these are brush rests for use in a scholar’s studio?  Any thoughts or suggestions would be welcome!  Either way, a rare and unusual form, measuring 1 1/4″ tall x 8″ long x 1 5/8″ wide.  Early 19th century. $780.00 the pair.  (

Bill Sargent believes they are asparagus holders!    I’ll go with his expertise.

 

 

Superb Condition Lacquer Sewing Box #7886cd Sold

An extraordinary survivor, this beautiful Chinese export lacquer sewing box of shaped form is decorated with scenes of Mandarins at their leisure in garden settings, the case resting upon carved and gilded dragon’s head feet and the top opening to reveal a fitted tray with all the original finely detailed carved bone sewing articles.  This would have been a rather luxurious genteel lady’s ‘work box’ in it’s time, and it is obvious that it’s owner treasured it considering its remarkably good condition.  Measuring 4 1/2 x 12″ x 8 1/4″ and dating to Mid-19th century.  $1,650.00

 

Unique Pattern Armorial Hot Water Dish

A richly enameled and detailed Chinese export porcelain armorial hot water dish made for the English market, hand-painted with a fantastic scene of a mounted warrior and soldiers entering the courtyard of a grand residence while the master of the house and two ladies look down upon the action from a balcony above. Painted in this rare instance with the scene running across the surface of the entire plate without any confining  borders, and with the coat of arms boldly placed in a large oval right in the center. A rare and unusual design making this one of the most sought-after patterns of this period (circa 1810), the arms suggested to be those of either Wight or Bradley by David Howard where a similar dish is illustrated in his book Chinese Armorial Porcelain, vol. I, page 787.  Circa 1820.  $3,900.00

 

#7783cd Pair of Very Fine Palaceware Plates

An especially fine pair of Chinese export porcelain Palaceware-patterned soup plates each with painstakingly hand-painted gilt lattice borders with reserves of sepia landscapes surrounding central scenes depicting calligrapher Wang Xizhi on his garden terrace seated at his desk receiving the gift of a goose from an admirer of his work. Considered one of China’s ‘Four Greatest Calligraphers’, this 4th century artist was said to have been fond of having geese around him as he based his brushwork and wrist techniques on the movements of birds’ necks, hence the subject of the scene on these plates.  It is remarkable that centuries later, this legend would be used to decorate a very fine quality dinner service intended for the western market where the story would be completely lost on the diners enjoying their meals!  Measuring 9 3/4″ in diameter, the enamels vibrant, the detail remarkable -note the scholars’ objects on his desk – and in very good condition.  Circa 1795-1810.  $2,250.00 each.

 

#7882 Pair of Elegant Palaceware Soup Plates

An especially fine pair of Chinese export porcelain Palaceware -patterned soup plates each with painstakingly hand-painted gilt lattice borders with reserves of sepia landscapes surrounding central scenes depicting calligrapher Wang Xizhi on his garden terrace seated at his desk receiving the gift of a goose from an admirer of his work. Considered one of China’s ‘Four Greatest Calligraphers’, this 4th century artist was said to have been fond of having geese around him as he based his brushwork and wrist techniques on the movements of birds’ necks, hence the subject of the scene on these plates. It is remarkable that centuries later, this legend would be used to decorate a very fine quality dinner service intended for the western market where the story would be completely lost on the diners enjoying their meal!  Measuring 9 3/4″ in diameter, the enamels vibrant, the detail remarkable -note the scholars’ objects on his desk – and in very good condition.  Circa 1795-1810.  $2,350.00 each.

 

Mandarin Armorial “Arms of Waterhouse” Plate

A very finely enameled Chinese export porcelain 8″ plate made for the English market, centered with a courtly scene of Mandarin figures on a terrace, all within amazingly detailed border rich in color and detail with riverscapes and village views amongst the mountains.  Bearing the crest of the Waterhouse family of Yorkshire.  Illustrated and discussed in Howard’s Chinese Armorial Porcelain, vol. I, page 787.  Circa 1805.

 

Presidential Service Ulysses S. Grant Plate #7820

An especially fine example of Chinese export porcelain made for the American market, this 8″ Rose Medallion plate is from a special order service made for U.S. Civil War General and later President, Ulysses S. Grant. Hand-painted in Famille Rose enamels in the classic Rose Medallion design with reserves of courtly Mandarin figures alternating with vignettes of birds, flowers, and butterflies against a tightly packed gilded ground with scrolling vines, all centered with a roundel bearing the monogram USG within a laurel crown. The extensive service ordered by Mrs. Grant from China trade merchant Daniel Ammen (whose service also remains extant) and presumably used in the White House during the Grant administration. With a chip to the rim on the reverse and a piece out of the rim restored, otherwise a finely rendered monogram and colorfully enameled pattern from a Presidential service. Illustrated and discussed in Schiffer’s China for America, page 83.  $7,500.00.

 

 

Fine Pair Coffee Cans and Saucers #7822D Sold

A very attractive pair of Chinese export porcelain cans and saucers, decorated in Famille Rose enamels with rich, gilded ground borders of fruits and flowers and butterflies all surrounding central scenes detailing courtly Mandarin life, the cans similarly painted. Part once of what must have been a very elaborate tea and coffee service.  The cans measuring 2 3/8″ tall, the saucers 5 1/2″ in diameter.  Dating to circa 1810, each priced individually at $42500.

 

PAIR of Mandarin Tureens & Platters #7789

A fine pair Chinese export porcelain bombe form covered tureens along with a pair of matching platters, all hand-painted with a roundels of mothers playing with their children on a garden terrace and edged with borders of a continuous landscape featuring deer, goats, exotic birds, and butterflies as well as a pair of swirling dragons pursuing the flaming pearl, along with a frolicking border of koi fish symbolizing wealth and success, all accented by richly gilded details on the handles, knops and borders. The tureens measuring 13″ x 11″ and the platters 13″ x 11 1/2″ and all in very good condition with only very minor wear to the gilding and enamels. Beautiful and impressive forms for any collection. Circa 1820. Priced separately – a tureen and platter together for $3,800.00

 

 

platter $3,800.00 for the two pieces.

“Flower Gods’ Plates #7780 (4 of 8 SOLD)

A charming pair of Chinese export porcelain 8″ plates vibrantly rendered in Famille Rose enamels with images of the Twelve Flower Gods each posed in a garden landscape of rockwork with blossoming trees and each holding their attributes of individual blossoms, the plates centered with a floral roundel and detailed with gilded edges. Also represented is a figure of Zhong Kui the ‘Vanquisher of Ghosts and Evil Beings’. The Twelve Flower Gods are male and female gods and goddesses  each representing a different month of the year and its corresponding flowers. These plates must have always been treasured for their charming decoration as their is very little, if any evidence of wear to the enamels.  Measuring 8″ in diameter and dating to circa 1820.  $900.00 the pair.

 

Beautiful Large 16″ Rockefeller Platter #7746

A wonderful large Chinese export porcelain ‘Rockefeller Pattern’ oval platter displaying all the richness and attention to detail for which these wares are known, featuring a very finely hand-painted scene – as good a quality as any screen, or scroll painting – featuring a family boating party having pulled their craft ashore and enjoying a picnic beneath a tree. A wonderful view of family life two centuries ago, all set within a puce diapered border with with bird and iron red landscape vignettes and the rim border with further landscapes in reserve against a rich and elaborately scrolling gilded border. The attention to detail and the many specialized skills it took to create this variety of decoration was why this was one of the most expensive special order services available at the time. Evidence of some restoration to the upper left rim on the reverse, other than that good condition.  Measuring 16″ x 13 1/2″ and dating to circa 1795.  $8,500.00

 

American Market Rose Medallion Plate #7727

A fine example of Chinese export porcelain made for the American market in the later 19th century, hand-painted in the Rose Medallion pattern with alternating floral and figural vignettes against a densely packed floral ground, centered a reserve bearing the gilded Gothic initial A most likely for DANIEL AMMEN (1820-1898) an American naval officer whose life-long career, postings, and accomplishments would fill this page. (See Wikipedia).  Measuring 9 3/4″ in diameter and in very good condition. Circa 1865-1868.

 

American Market Rose Medallion BAILEY Plate #7715

A Chinese export porcelain 9 3/4″ Rose Medallion dinner plate hand-painted with a central roundel with a gilded initial B surrounded by four vignettes of courtly scenes and birds amongst flowering branches, all in reserve against a densely painted floral and foliate ground with butterflies and gilded rim. The central initial B within a shield is for the prominent Bailey family of Newport and New York. The patriarch of the family was one William Bailey who was one of the first settlers of Newport, Rhode Island is in known to have dies sometime before 1670.  Bailey’s Beach in Newport remains to this day, named for this family. With some minor stacking wear, otherwise in good condition. Circa 1860-1862.

 

Impressive PAIR of 20″ Mandarin Platters #7710

A very dramatic pair of Chinese export porcelain platters, hand-painted in Famille Rose enamels with large central Mandarin scenes of courtly figures in expansive landscapes surrounded with a colorful border of fruits, flowers, and butterflies against a rich gilded ground.  Barely fitting into our photo cube, each measuring 17″ x 20″ and certainly treasured over the past two centuries exhibiting minimal wear and in very good condition.  Once part of a rather extensive and luxurious dinner service, circa 1810-1820.  $9,500.00/pair.

 

 

 

 

Pair of Famille Rose Wall Figures #7654

A very charming pair of Chinese export porcelain figures of a man and a woman reclining with their heads resting in their hands, designed to be hung on a wall, their forms complimenting each other perfectly.  We have not seen this form before, perhaps a gift to a couple, a symbol of connubial harmony? Approximately 8″ long, dating to the 19th century?

Chinese Export Mandarin Platter #7622

A fine Chinese export porcelain oval platter, decorated in vibrant Famille Rose enamels, painted with a central scene of courtly Mandarin ladies upon a garden terrace being watched with great interest by a gentleman in a pavilion window.  The scene within a gilded and orange enamel border of dragons which symbolize strength, power, and good luck for people who are worthy of it, amongst swirling clouds and flaming pearls.  Good condition, measuring 11 1/2″ x 14 1/2″. Circa 1810-1820.  $1,850.00

Fine Pair of Mandarin Hot Water Dishes #7488

A wonderful pair of Chinese export porcelain hot water dishes decorated in Famille Rose enamels with Mandarin decoration, each centered with a detailed scene of courtly Mandarin life within a fantastical rim bordered with swirling dragons chasing the flaming pearl, the top of the plates with a reserve inscribed with the gilded initials of the original owner of the service. In an era that produced some really brilliant designs, this is one of the best examples of the Mandarin services that we’ve had.  Measuring 9 3/4″ in diameter; one with a chip to the reverse, and both with very minor wear commensurate with age.  Circa 1800.  $2,800.00 the pair.

 

American Market Tablewares, Nantucket Provenance

A group of fine Chinese export porcelain tablewares made for the American market, vibrantly edged in a beautiful apple green border with gilded detail – each piece with a small gilded floral sprig. In addition to their decorative quality, they have a history of descent in the Russell-Macy-Starbuck families of Nantucket. The simple design would have appealed to the Quaker aesthetic of these prominent island families at the time and the apple green enamel border was relatively rare on Chinese export wares as we know of only one other service made for the American market and that went into New haven, CT.  The group comprises; a large 15″ oval platter; an 11″ reticulated basket and undertray and a pair of covered strap-handled pots-de-cremes. All in very good condition with only the basket handles with restoration and they appear to be original. Early 19th century. $2,800.00 the group.

 

Mandarin Cachepot #7382

A very attractive, and very useful, Chinese export porcelain octagonal form footed cachepot richly decorated with a continuous scene hand-painted around its eight sides, rendered in Famille Rose enamels, and animated with courtly figures and attendants upon a garden terrace with a lady of nobility sitting upon a root chair under a portico receiving the crowd. Measuring 6 1/2″ tall x 10″ across in very good condition. Circa 1820.

Vividly Painted Mandarin Dish #7335c

A very finely enameled Chinese export porcelain diamond-form serving dished with a molded border, painted with a central scene depicting a pair of elegant ladies sitting upon a terrace (note the detailed ‘root’ chair) while they listen and watch as elderly lady reads and admires a calligraphic scroll being held out for her scrutiny by two attendants, a lady’s maid fans and cools her during her scholarly pursuit. All set within a very elaborate floral and foliate border.  Measuring 9″ x 10″ and in very good condition. Beautiful, bright enamels. Dating to circa 1830.  $675.00

Handsome 13″ ‘Arms of Oliphant’ Dish #7343

A very fine Chinese export porcelain quatrefoil-form serving dish, made for the English market, bearing the Arms of Oliphant impaling Browne. Measuring 9″ x 13″ and in very good condition, one of three services made with these arms, and dating to circa 1800, though the dealer label from Matthew and Elisabeth Sharpe have it dated a bit earlier. Discussed and illustrated in Howard’s Chinese Armorial Porcelain, Vol. I, page 725.    $1250.

Rare Monogrammed Mandarin Plate #6008

A fine Chinese export porcelain plate decorated with a central Mandarin scene of figures on a terrace within an unusual border of small white blossoms against deep overglaze blue ground, the reverse with a rare gilded monogram of the original owner. Seldom were the services inscribed on the reverse as this example was. Measuring 8″ in diameter and in very good condition. Circa 1820.  $575.