A very large Chinese famille rose relief-decorated bowl. Yongzheng period

The bowl, finely decorated in famille rose enamels and relief carving, is decorated with a dense green geometric ground of interlaced trellis pattern, interrupted by four circular medallions. Each medallion contains a delicately painted floral composition, including peonies, chrysanthemums, and butterflies, symbolizing prosperity and longevity. The upper border is molded in shallow relief with a […]

A Chinese armorial tea caddy for the Dutch market (De Witt / van den Bergh). Yongzheng

The tea caddy is decorated in rich enamels with a finely rendered Chinese mountain-and-water landscape, showing pavilions, trees, and rocky peaks in delicate brushwork and vivid colors. At the center of the main side appears a circular armorial roundel, more boldly painted than the surrounding scene. Within, on a greyish-black (oxidized silver) ground, are three […]

A famille verte sweetmeat dish. China, Kangxi

Finely potted and shallow with a stylised bat outline and notched rim, the dish is enamelled on the biscuit in the famille verte palette—translucent greens with egg-yolk yellow and aubergine, all outlined in black. The recessed well depicts four horses grazing and resting beneath a pale sun or moon amid drifting clouds. A broad border […]

Three famille verte sweetmeat dishes. China, Kangxi

The set comprising a hexagonal dish and a matched pair of pentagonal, roof-shaped dishes, enameled in the famille verte palette with black-ground reserves (so-called famille noire), Each interior presents a green dragon coiling among flames and clouds in pursuit of the flaming pearl, the scene set within a recessed black cartouche and enclosed by a […]

A pair of famille verte / noire sweetmeat dishes. China, Kangxi

Each small, shallow dish is of five-sided house/roof outline with slightly flared sides and a flat rim. The interior is centred by a glossy black panel painted with a lively, scaly dragon in yellow and green enamels, writhing among flame and cloud scrolls and confronting the flaming pearl. The panel is framed by a broad […]

A Chinese powder blue zhadou. Kangxi

Spittoon of the zhadou type, with a wide, dish-shaped flaring mouth over a globular body resting on a small ring foot. It is covered with a monochrome powdered blue glaze, with some gilt highlights.