Famille Verte Archives - Polly Latham Asian Art

Famille Verte Foo Lion #7802

An exuberantly charming Chinese porcelain figure of a recumbent Foo Lion, heavily potted and finely modeled and detailed in lustrous brown glaze with Famille Verte highlights. Traditionally the symbol of guardianship, but with that happy face he doesn’t appear too threatening! But foo lions are also a symbol of success and prosperity which is more fitting for the joyful personality of this character. With only two small losses to two of his ‘canine teeth’, otherwise in remarkably fine condition and resting upon a handsome hardwood carved base. Measuring 4 1/2″ x 7 1/4″ without the base. Late 19th century. $2,600.00

Fine Kangxi Famille Verte Charger #7277

An especially beautiful Chinese export porcelain Kangxi period charger decorated in Famille Verte enamels, centered with an elegantly rendered deer within a landscape, beneath a pine, a crane flying overhead and with the outer border also painted with flying cranes as well. The crane, deer, pine, bamboo and odd little scrolled plant called a ruyi all being auspicious symbols imparting messages for wealth, nobility, success, longevity in marriage, long-lasting love and loyalty, endurance, power and good fortune that would have been apparent to the Chinese painter of this piece, but surely would have been lost on the European consumer who acquired the piece. Either way, positively packed with auspicious energy, a very fine piece, the vibrantly enameled figures standing out against the white porcelain ground. Measuring 15″ in diameter and with only a line to the reverse sealed, otherwise, very good condition. Circa 1700-1720. $3,600.00

Fantastical Pair of Kangxi Dragon Libation Cups #7791 Sold

What color, exuberance, and symbolism in such small, personal objects! This pair of Chinese porcelain Kangxi period libation cups are finely modeled and decorated with dragon figures and designs with both the handle and the spout of each cup supported by a pair of dragons set against a detailed ground of Famille Verte enamel colors. The dragon symbolizes great power, strength, authority, and good luck with special powers over water, typhoons, rainfall, and floods. Measuring 4 1/2″ wide by 2″ tall and in remarkably good condition with only small rim frits and chips and a line to the edge of one lip, otherwise the detailed handles and dragon figures have survived the centuries unscathed. Kangxi period, circa 1700. $1,950.00 each, although they look better as a pair.

Rare Form Kangxi Pair of Spice Boxes #7790 Sold

A rare pair of Chinese export porcelain octagonal footed spice boxes, hand-painted in Famille Verte enamels with images of flowering lotus, almost certainly modeled after European silver forms of the period, even attempting to recreate the mask handles one sees on silver of this period. In addition another unusual feature is the interior of both boxes both with three spice compartments which we have not seen before. These would have been truly novel and luxurious items to adorn one’s table with at the end of 17th century. Measuring 3 1/4″ tall by 5″ long and 3 1/2″ wide. One box with evidence of an interior rim restoration, otherwise both pieces in very good condition and great examples of the decorative cultural exchange between Europe and China at this period. Circa 1700. Priced individually at $1,950.00 each.

Very Impressive Kangxi Famille Verte Garniture Set #7666

A truly spectacular Kangxi period Chinese export porcelain five piece garniture set of molded form and decorated in Famille Verte enamels. The covered vases measuring 13 3/4″ tall and the flared rim vases 12″ tall, all hand-painted with a profusion of flowering branches of peony, prunus, and chrysanthemum amongst insects and rockwork. The covered vases with restoration to finials and edges of the covers as well as one with a line running from the neck into the shoulder; the flared rim vases in remarkably good condition. Considering the prominent and precarious places these prized objects were usually displayed the complete set together is in remarkably overall good condition. A beautiful suite of objects to display. Circa 1700-1710.

Spectacular Late Kangxi Famille Verte 15″ Punch Bowl #7395

A very fine Chinese export porcelain punch bowl of impressive 15″ size and decoration, hand-painted in Famille Verte enamels around the exterior with images of a pair of pheasants amongst rockwork and flowering branches of peony, the imagery of large, colorful and robust scale, highlighted with gilding; an iron red and gilded peony design centers the bottom of the interior. With a long line restored, otherwise in fine condition, perfect for a dramatic display. Circa 1720. $5,500.00

Kangxi Famille Verte 13 1/2″ Saucer Dish #7393

An attractive Chinese export porcelain Kangxi Saucer dish decorated in Famille Verte enamels with a central scene of a bird perched upon a branch amongst peonies issuing from rockwork, beautifully balanced and set off by the white porcelain background, and bordered with a band of diapering alternating with landscape vignettes around the outer edge. Measuring 13 1/2″ in diameter. With a rim chip filled and four hairlines all sealed, otherwise, good condition and with an Elinor Gordon provenance. Circa 1700-1720.

Superb Pair of Kangxi Famille Verte Plates #7230

A really fine pair of Chinese export porcelain Kangxi period plates, decorated in famille verte enamels, each with a central scene of a scholar on horseback with his attendant beside him, leaving his walled compound on his way to take his exams, a scholar’s table and scholarly attributes in the background alluding to his journey and future. Further attributes alternate with decorative cartouches around the rim. The reverse centered with an underglaze blue ‘archaic vessel’ mark within a double ring, peony blossoms around the rim. Both in good condition and measuring 9″ in diameter. Circa 1700-1720.

Pair of Kangxi Famille Verte Plates #7032

A fine pair of Chinese export porcelain Kangxi period plates, decorated in famille verte enamels with a central scene of a phoenix flying over flowering branches of peony, encircled within a peony decorated cavetto and an outer diapered border with reserves of koi and crayfish. Measuring 9 1/2″ in diameter and with only the slightest wear to the gilding of one peony blossom, otherwise very good condition with exuberant decoration. Circa 1700-1720. $1250. each

Charming Kangxi Famille Verte Teapot #5048

A beautiful Chinese export porcelain Kangxi period teapot decorated in the famille verte palette with a imagery of the “Three Friends of Winter”, namely the prunus, bamboo and pine, along with a finely rendered phoenix, and kylin on the opposite side. Finely glazed, which is typical of the period, and with only a faint line to the base of the handle sealed, otherwise, in fine condition, and measuring approximately 4 1/2″ tall. Circa 1700.

Fine Kangxi “Friends of Winter” Plates #5035

A beautiful pair of Chinese export porcelain 9″ plates decorated in famille verte enamels and painted with a central image of the “Three Friends of Winter” featuring bamboo, pine and prunus, along with two other auspicious creatures; the crane and the deer. This design, very much in the Chinese taste, is then encircled by a lavish foliate and gilt detailed border. A line to each professionally sealed, and some glaze craquelure, otherwise in good condition. Circa 1700-1720. $3,200.00 the pair.

Rare Form Kangxi Famille Verte Ecuelle #5022

A very unusual form, this Chinese export porcelain covered dish, or ecuelle, was almost certainly modeled after a European silver form of the period, especially with its shaped handles resembling a porringer, but is decorated with thoroughly Chinese motifs of flowering peony and prunus, in lush famille verte enamels. Condition: a 4″ line to the base sealed and a small chip to the knop color filled, remarkably, the handles intact. 9 3/4″ across. Circa 1700-1710. $3800.

Famille Verte of Plates #4912A ONE SOLD

A very elegant pair of Chinese export porcelain famille verte plates, each richly decorated with a scene with two courtly ladies upon a flowered terrace outside of a walled garden with a moon window, willow and prunus spilling over the wall, and a view within the window of a potted plant upon a stand, all within a peony and diapered border with reserves of butterflies and grasshoppers. Measuring 91/2″ in diameter and in good condition with the exception of slight enamel wear commensurate with age. Late Kangxi period, circa 1700-1710. ONE SOLD.