STOCKSPRING ANTIQUES
London W8 4BH; www.antique-porcelain.co.uk;
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The Dragon and the Quail -
English Kakiemon Porcelain
Internet Loan Exhibition
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| Dragons and Tigers |
| The dragon in Japanese mythology is a benign creature, representative
of the Emperor and celestial power. The tiger represents courage, a yellow
one fame or progress, while a red one is life giving. |
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Exhibits 75, 74, 76 and 73
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73. Saucer
Japan, Arita c.1680-1700 D. 11cm, 4.5"
Of decagonal form with flat rim, decorated with two dragons and "endless
knots", a five petalled floret in the centre and single florets on the
rim edged with fuchi beni, nigoshide paste.
74. Plate
Chelsea c.1753-5 D. 23cm, 9.25"
With lobed rim, the border decorated with three dragons and "endless
knots" around a central five petalled floret and scattered single florets,
with a brown line rim.
This follows the Japanese example above very closely.
75. Beaker and Saucer
Chelsea c.1750-52 D.13.3cm, 5.5"
Octagonal in form, decorated en suite with the plate above, but without
the brown line rim. The beaker has small scattered florets on the inside.
76. Teabowl
Chelsea c.1750-52
Raised Anchor mark H. 5.5cm, 2.25"
Octagonal, en suite with the saucer above, with a central five petalled
floret in the bottom of the teabowl.
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Exhibits 77, 78 and 79
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77. Saucer
Meissen c.1740
Crossed swords in underglaze blue, pressnumber 2 D. 13cm., 5.25"
Painted with two dragons alternating with two "endless knots" with
a central motif of two confronting phoenix.
Provenance:- Wolfe Collection
The original of this service was ordered for the Hofsilberkammer
in Dresden, between 1731 and 1734. As all known Japanese examples of this
pattern date from c.1740 and are in Meissen rather than Japanese shapes,
it is possible that this is a Meissen invention.
78. Soup Plate
Japan, c.1740 D. 25cm, 10"
Decorated en suite with the Meissen preceding saucer.
Provenance:- the red sealing wax marks on the base indicate that it
was once in The Hermitage, St. Petersberg.
79. Cup and Saucer
Chantilly c.1740
Red hunting horn marks D. 13cm, 5.25"
The cup of bucket shape, each decorated with an iron red dragon and
a fan shaped panel of a flowering plant issuing from blue rockwork, the
lower border of the cup and the ring of the saucer with an iron red hatched
pattern.
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Exhibits 80, 82 and 81
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80. Jug and Cover
China, Dehua, 1700-20, enamelled in Europe c.1730-50 H. 12.5cm, 4.5"
The Leatham Collection
Of pear shape with grooved loop handle at right angles to the spout
and lid with simple knop, decorated with a red tiger looking up at a dragon
which is twisted around a bamboo pole, with prunus, the pattern bisected
by a double red line, the lid with a prunus spray from a blue rock.
With the double red line, this pattern represents Heaven and Earth.
For a similar beaker, see "Porcelain for Palaces", pl. 270, p.244,
where it is suggested that the painting may have been done in London.
For a Japanese original see the Ashmolean 1978.565, Reitlinger gift,
illustrated in "Porcelain for Palaces", pl.125, p.154.
81. Teabowl
Chelsea c.1752 D. 7.5cm, 3"
Stockspring Antiques
Of fluted form painted with a red tiger looking up at a dragon, with
prunus, the pattern bisected by a double red line.
82. Vase
China, Jingdexhen, c.1715, decorated in Holland c.1730-40
H. 27.3cm, 10.8"
Of rouleau form with short trumpet neck decorated all over with carved
lotus scroll pattern under the glaze and with a brown glaze rim. Enamelled
with a maned dragon on each side alternating with a phoenix above a flowering
branch; round the shoulder is scrolling turquoise foliage with gilt flowers
on an iron red ground, on the neck are two flowering branches. |
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| Exhibits 83, 85 and 84 |
83. Dish or Stand for sauceboat
Chelsea c.1750-52
Raised Anchor mark L. 24.5cm, 9.75"
Stockspring Antiques
Of oval silver shape with shell moulding, decorated with a red tiger
looking up at a dragon, its tail amongst clouds, twisted around a bamboo
with prunus at the base.
This is probably the "Twisted dragon pattern" referred to in the Chelsea
Sale Catalogue of 1755, lots 37 and 72.
84. Plate
Chelsea c.1750-52 D. 2.5cm, 9"
Of silver shape en suite with the preceeding example.
85. Teapot
Chelsea c.1750-53 H. 12cm, 4.75"
Of fluted form decorated with the "Twisted Dragon" pattern, the shoulder
with an abstract zigzag pattern.
For the border on a Japanese piece in Sherborne Castle, see "Kakiemon
and the English Country House", pl.32, g.55. |
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| Exhibits 88, 87 and 86 |
86. Beaker
Chelsea c.1750-52 D. 7cm, 2.8"
Stockspring Antiques
Of lobed form, decorated with a tiger, prunus, bamboo and rocks.
87. Plate
Worcester c.1770 D. 22.6cm, 9"
Of lobed form painted with a yellow tiger twined around a bamboo opposite
an ancient prunus.
This is allegorical of the strong protecting the weak.
88. Creamer
Chelsea c.1750-53 H. 5cm, 2"
Fluted, with replacement handle, painted on one side with a blue Shi
shi chasing a butterfly, and on the other with a bouquet of chrysanthemum
tied by a blue ribbon.
Provenance:- Tony Stevenson Collection.
For a Japanese dish of this pattern, see "Kakiemon, Porcelain from
the English Country House", pl.12, p.41 for an example in the Burghley
House
Collection. |
