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Pair of Kangxi Elephant Handled Vases #7800

A very beautiful pair of Chinese export porcelain vases, the bodies molded into lotus leaf-shaped panels and hand painted with branches of flowering peonies and the elongated necks each mounted with elephant head bisque handles with hanging rings and the bottoms with classic artemesia leaf marks. Measuring 11″ tall and in very good condition with only a short line to the body of one vase sealed.  Dating to circa 1690 – a remarkable form and rare survivor. $5,800.00

 

PAIR of Kangxi Period Teapots #7788

A fantastic pair of Chinese export porcelain Kangxi period footed teapots, hand-painted in underglaze blue and of unusual paneled and dome shaped-form, each panel decorated with peonies and rockwork, the motif continuing onto the covers, along with swirling clouds on the handles and spouts.  The form likely based upon Chinese wine pots of the period. Each pot measuring 7″ x 5 1/2″.  One pot with restoration to the knop, and a chip filled on the spout and neck, otherwise remarkably good condition; the other pot also in good condition with no apparent restoration. Several small glaze losses to the handles of both – commensurate with age and to be expected on Kangxi pieces.  Circa 1690. The best pair of Kangxi period we’ve ever enjoyed having.  Circa 1690.

 

American Market – Philadelphia Waterworks #7707

A Chinese export porcelain 6 1/4″ plate made for the American Market hand-painted in overglaze blue with gilded details with a central roundel depicting an image of the Fairmount Waterworks (also known as the Philadelphia Waterworks) encircled with diapered and spearhead borders on the rim. In the early years of the American republic patterns such as these were commissioned as sources of pride in our new nation and its engineering and architectural accomplishments. Most often we see examples of this sort of thing in English transfer-printed wares, but here we have a rare example in Chinese export porcelain, and rarer still, rendered in an overglaze blue, the image taken from an engraving of the period.  Other than some minor wear to the gilding this piece is in very good condition and dating to circa 1800.  $3,200.00

 

Kangxi Rouleau Form Vase #7745

A strikingly decorated Kangxi period rouleau form vase hand-painted in rich underglaze cobalt blue with a continuous scene of blossoming lotus – the ‘symbol of purity’. The ease and grace of the forms as they move around the vessel attest to the skills of the painter; a classic example in the Chinese taste, Measuring 11″ in height and in good condition with only restoration to the mouth of the vase. Circa 1690.

 

 

VERY RARE FORM KANGXI TEAPOT #7684 SOLD

A fantastic example of Chinese export porcelain from the Kangxi period, this wonderful ribbed form teapot is hand-decorated with vertical molded panels of floral and foliate decoration, banded at the top and bottom with lotus petals, the decoration continuing on the cover, with the handle and spout molded to resemble bamboo. All part of the ‘exotic’ decoration that fascinated Europeans during this early period of the China trade. Measuring 5″ tall x 6 1/2″ wide, a minute frit to the end of the spout, otherwise very good condition,  Circa 1690.

 

Fine Form Kangxi Covered Cup

An unusual Chinese export porcelain footed octagonal form covered cup from the Kangxi period, decorated in underglaze blue, finely potted and painted with alternating panels of landscapes and birds amongst flowering peony branches, the floral motif continued on to the conforming cover.  Whether its use was intended for wine or tea, this chalice form was most likely adopted from European silver forms of the period.  A splendid form. Some restoration to the cover, otherwise good condition and measuring approximately 6″ tall and dating to circa 1690.

 

Sybille Merian Botanical Plate #7673c

A striking blue and white Chinese export porcelain plate centered with an image of flowers and insects after an engraving by Dutch artist Sybille Merian and surrounded with a rich interlaced European style border. Merian was a accomplished woman artist who traveled to Surinam in the late 17th century and rendered studies of the exotic flowers and insects which were later published after her return.  Along with Dutch artist Cornelius Pronk, she is another rare instance of being able to trace decorations on Chines export porcelain back to a specific known European design source. Measuring 9″ in diameter and in good condition. Circa 1740.

 

Impressive 20″ Kangxi Charger #7624

A great Chinese export porcelain Kangxi charger measuring an impressive 20″ in diameter, decorated in underglaze blue centered with a scene of two courtly ladies – sometimes referred to as ‘Long Elizas’ – on a garden terrace within a wide border of alternating panels featuring the same ‘Long Eliza’ imagery and vignettes of prunus and bamboo, all within a shaped edge.  With three hairlines sealed, but otherwise in good condition and making a very dramatic statement indeed.  Kangxi period, circa 1690.  $5,200.00

Pair of Kangxi Period Doucai Plates #7576

A lovely pair of Chinese export porcelain 8 3/4″ plates decorated in the Doucai style, a technique originating in the Ming Dynasty and later revived during the Qing Dynasty.  Roughly translated it means “Fitted Colors” and it describes the technique of basically creating outlines of the design in underglaze blue, firing the piece, and then filling or “fitting in” the rest of the colors of the image in overglaze enamels, requiring a second firing.  In this pair we have an elegantly rendered central scene of bamboo entwined with flowers with the floral motif of flowering branches continuing around the rim. One with a small flake to the reverse, the other with a very small frit to the rim, otherwise very good condition. Kangxi period, late 17th/ early 18th century.  $3,200.00 the pair.

 

Plates from the Captain Richard Dale Service #7481

A very attractive pair of Chinese export porcelain 6″ plates made for the American Market, each decorated in overglaze blue and gilding and centered with a classical urn surrounded by a sawtooth cavetto border, the outer rim edge with an elegant scrolling gilded border. In addition to being such a fine design, the plates are part of a service ordered by American Captain Richard Dale (1756-1826) on his last trip to Canton in 1799. Dale’s naval service included working with the likes of John Barry and John Paul Jones. After the Revolution, he sailed under private contract to canton in the burgeoning American China Trade before re-joining the Navy in 1799. Illustrated and discussed in Schiffer’s China for America, page 204. Both plates in very good condition with fine gilded detail intact. $290.00 each,

 

Kangx Period – Pair of Hunting Scene Plates #7478 Three Available

Thinly potted and decorated in the richest underglaze cobalt blue, this pair of generously-sized scalloped rim plates measure 10″ in diameter and are hand-painted with a central scene of a mounted man and woman  out hunting within a landscape, all within a rim bordered with “penciled” stylized lotus. The reverse also with stylized lotus around the rim and centered with a Chenghua mark. Illustrated and discussed in David Howard’s book, The Choice of the Private Trader, page 42, where he notes that the Chenghua mark (1465-1487) was not intended as a forgery, but rather a compliment to the quality of the piece, and, was used to replace the Kangxi mark as the emperor had forbidden the use of his name on porcelain for export after 1782.  Other than the usual minor rim frits one expects with pieces of this age, they are in excellent condition. Circa 1690. Ex-Mario Buatta Collection. $1450. each

Rare ‘Riot of Rotterdam’ Kangxi Plate #7256

This rare Kangxi period, Chinese export porcelain plate is decorated in underglaze blue with a scene from the famous and infamous ‘Riot of Rotterdam’ where the citizens of the Dutch city of Rotterdam, incensed by a brutally unfair punishment pronounced by their magistrate, ran riot and tore down the magistrate’s house! This act was actually commemorated in a cast medallion from which the plates (also special ordered to commemorate the event) were painted. This is the first European historical/political event ever to be produced on Chinese export porcelain. Measuring 8″ in diameter and in very good condition. Circa 1695-1700.

 

Two Fine Small Blue Fitzhugh Platters #7241c,

Two lovely examples of Chinese export porcelain in the Blue Fitzhugh pattern. The small oval platter one measuring 7 1/4 x 10 1/8″, the more rectangular form oval measuring 7 7/8″ x 9 7/8″. Both in very good condition and dating to circa 1800-1820. Priced individually at $450.00.

 

Rare Large Transitional Vase #6021 sold

A fine Chinese export porcelain Transitional period garlic necked vase of unusually large size, decorated in underglaze blue with scenes of scholars and their attendants within a landscape. Measuring an impressive 16 1/2″ tall, and in remarkably good condition. Circa 1640.

Impressive Qianlong Period Tureen #5038

A fine Chinese export porcelain covered tureen of rare and impressive size with a molded and shaped bombe form and robustly scrolling handles, decorated in underglaze blue with classic Chinese landscape scenes, the conforming cover with vignettes of flowering branches, all surmounted by a flower bouquet formed knop. Measuring 10″ x 19″ x 11″. A small curved line to the bottom interior edge, and some very minor glaze fritting along the edge of the cover, otherwise a beautiful and impressive centerpiece for any table or sideboard. Circa 1770-1780.

American Market/Rhode Island Rogers Tea Wares #4926

A very fortuitous find to compliment our Nicholas Brown part tea set, this very fine grouping of Chinese export teawares for the American market bears the same double-heart decoration as the Nicholas Brown service, and with no wonder, as it was made for one of Nicholas’ early business partner John Rogers (1756-1810). Rogers was a sixth generation descendant of Thomas Rogers, a Mayflower passenger and signer of the Mayflower compact. The Rogers were amongst the earliest settlers in Rhode Island, arriving in Newport around 1638.  John Rogers was an original partner in the Providence firm of Brown, Rogers and Benson. This firm was the predecessor to Brown and Ives, a powerful banking and mercantile company originally built around the China Trade,  but transitioning to investment in American cotton spinning mills by the mid 19th century. John married Elizabeth Rodman Rogers, hence the initials on this set of JER. This service was undoubtedly ordered at the same time as the Nicholas and Anne Brown monogrammed service given the close business and social circles that connected the Brown and Rogers families. Very good condition. Old restoration to pitcher where the handle meets the top of the body, otherwise very good condition with bright enamels and gilding. Coffeepot SOLD. Pieces priced individually. Circa 1800.

Great Kangxi “Monkey” Soup Plate #4858

This wonderful Kangxi period Chinese export blue and white porcelain molded soup dish has an exuberant design centered with a phoenix amongst flowering peony branches encircled within a swirled lobed rim with alternating panels of further peony branches and a tree with a small monkey sitting in its branches. The finely painted peony motifs continue on a reverse with a small lotus blossom centers the bottom. Very well potted, with only a short rim line consolidated, otherwise very good condition. 8 1/2″ in diameter. Circa 1690.