Two famille verte biscuit models of pyramids of lychees. China, Kangxi

Each modeled as a tiered pyramid of clustered lychees rising from a fluted circular base, the fruits realistically rendered with their distinctive textured skins in green, yellow, and aubergine enamels, interspersed with green leaves. The pyramids are arranged in three ascending registers, surmounted by a single large fruit at the top. The naturalistic modelling and the lively enamelling capture both the abundance and auspicious symbolism of the lychee, long associated in China with fertility, prosperity, and the pleasures of summer.

COUNTRY : China
PERIOD : Kangxi (1662-1722)
MATERIAL : Porcelain (biscuit)
SIZE : 17 cm / 15 cm
REFERENCE : E293
STATUT : available
Additonal informations :

Such porcelain derives from the Chinese tradition of piling offerings of various sweetmeats on the household, temple altar or in the tomb for the afterlife. Artificial fruit dishes such as these were sometimes used as an alternative to fresh fruit. These exotic looking forms were exposed to the west as curiosities in the 18th century. Pyramids of finger citrons, peaches, pomegranates, lychees, and walnuts were thus produced.

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