Blue & White Archives - Polly Latham Asian Art

Rare Form like the Nanking Cargo ‘Feeder’ Cup’ #7830

A rare form and a remarkable story adds to the interest of this Chinese export porcelain ‘Feeder’ Cup decorated in underglaze blue with images of lotus, rockwork, and willow. Made to feed broth the sick or infirm, this piece may have been part of the great Nanking Cargo that left China with a load of porcelain in 1750, but was sunk in the South China Seas by a storm. The wreck and it’s contents were salvaged in the 1980s and its contents were sold by Christies in an historic auction. This piece is in very good condition with only rim chips and frits filled by its previous owners, the noted dealers Matthew and Elizabeth Sharpe. Measuring 5 1/8″ across including the spout, and 2 3/8″ tall. $975.00

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.

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.

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

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.

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.