1 / 4
AGUTTES
151
-
CHINA QING DYNASTY, KANGXI PERIOD (1661-1722)
A large porcel…
See original version (French)
151
-
CHINA QING DYNASTY, KANGXI PERIOD (1661-1722)
A large porcel…
See original version (French)
Estimate €6,000 - €8,000
Voluntary lot
Description
CHINA
QING DYNASTY, KANGXI PERIOD (1661-1722)
A large porcelain scroll vase with a powder blue ground and gold decoration of two large rectangular reserves containing imperial dragons chasing pearls through the clouds, alternating with small circular reserves with fish and shrimp motifs. The whole is set against a background of large flowers and dense foliage. The neck features stylised "Shou" characters. The base with a double circle in blue underglaze.
H. 45.5 cm
A similar vase, also decorated with imperial dragons and dating from the Kangxi period, sold at Piasa on 9 December 2013 (lot 301). This piece may also be compared with a vase in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum, New York (79.2.153), decorated with flowers, birds and poems, dated 1709.
Note:
The "powder blue" effect appeared during the reign of Emperor Xuande (1425-1435), of the Ming dynasty, under the names "sprinkled blue" (sa lan 洒蓝) or "snowflake blue" (xue hua lan 雪花篮).
During the reign of Kangxi (1661-1722), mainly between 1700 and 1722, craftsmen at the Jingdezhen kilns sought to reproduce this effect, giving rise to "powdered blue", characterised by a rich mottled cobalt underglaze covering most of the piece. According to textual sources, the cobalt blue was blown onto the surface of the porcelain using a tube with gauze at the end. The pieces were then covered with a transparent glaze. After firing, it produced a deep, finely speckled blue, with the powder-blue surface often enhanced with gold decoration. The multiple firings and the high cost of materials made the production of these powder-blue porcelains extremely expensive.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
You may also like