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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| Floral Patterns |
The three most popular plants in kakiemon decoration are the pine (sho)
for longevity, the bamboo (chiku) for uprightness and the prunus (bai)
for sweetness - together they represent the "Three Friends of Winter",
which can be interpreted as the different aspects of the character of an
honourable man, or the three great Eastern religions - Confucianism, Buddhism,
and Taoism.
The Four Noble Plants are plum blossom, chrysanthemum, orchid and bamboo. |
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Exhibits 1,2 and 3
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1. Beaker
Japan c.1700 H. 6.5 cms, 2.1"
Octagonal, painted on alternate facets with either a peony or
flowering autumnal grasses.
For one from a set of ten, see Lang, "Wrestling Boys" catalogue,
pl. 62
These beakers were often imported without saucers - Godden quotes an
order for oriental porcelain:-" coffee, tea and chocolate cups sell best
without saucers, therefore buy up fewer saucers", Godden, "The History
of Porcelain", p. 61.
2. Saucer
Chelsea c.1752 D. 13cms, 5"
Octagonal, painted with a central five branched floret encircled by
radiating sprays of alternately chrysanthemum and poppy.
For one from a set of fourteen, see "Wrestling Boys" catalogue, pl.246.
Probably made to complement the beaker above.
3. Cup and Saucer
Chelsea c.1750-2
Raised Anchor mark D. 13cms, 5.1"
Octagonal, the cup with flat scroll handle, painted with a central
floret encircled by radiating sprays of prunus, chrysanthemum, peony and
orchid, the border with stylized meandering vine and florets. |
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Exhibits 5,6,4 and 7
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4. Teapot
Japan c.1670-90 H. 11cms, 4.5"
Eight lobed, melon shaped teapot with plain knop and replacement metal
spout; each lobe painted with a flowering plant, the shoulder and lid with
trailing foliage, and the handle with stylized meandering foliage.
For similar teapots, see Ayers, Impey & Mallet, "Porcelain
for Palaces", no. 110; "Wrestling Boys", no. 78.
5. Hors d'oeuvres Dish
Bow c.1750 W. 12.7cms, 5" Of stylized
ogival petal form, painted in the centre and on the rim with scattered
florets with gilt highlights over brown.
From a set of eight with a central octagonal dish, after a Chinese
serving set.
6. Bowl
Japan, Arita c.1700
Lesley Kehoe D. 19.2cms, 7.5"
Of reverse ogee profile, eight lobed and moulded in low relief with
the "Three Friends", nigoshide paste. Painted on the exterior with peony
sprays, on the interior with cherry boughs and florets, fuchi-beni rim.
7. Knife and Fork
Bow c.1749-50
L. 9.5cms, 3.75" (k)
Of pistol grip form moulded with acanthus scrolls, leaves and floral
swags, and painted with scattered cherry florets. |
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| Exhibits 10, 8 and 9 |
8. Bowl
Japan, Arita c.1680
Lesley Kehoe D. 13cms, 5.25"
With petalled rim, nigoshide paste, sparsely decorated with a chrysanthemum
and foliage and an insect.
9. Beaker
China, Dehua c.1700, probably decorated in Holland c. 1720-30
Potter's seal mark H. 6.5cms, 2.75"
Of octagonal form with incised leaf decoration around the base, painted
with sprays of chrysanthemum and prunus with a flying bird between.
10. Beaker
Meissen c.1729-31 H. 6.5cms, 2.7"
Crossed swords in blue enamel, incised Dresden palace marks N=339w
Of lobed form decorated with a chrysanthemum and foliage, a small sprig
on the reverse. |
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Exhibits 12, 11 and 13
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11. Bowl
Chelsea c.1755
Red Anchor mark D. 15cms, 6"
Stockspring Antiques
Painted with sprigs of stylized cherry blossom, and ribbon tied bouquets
of miniature chrysanthemums, branches and leaves, brown line rim.
For a spoontray and sucrier in this pattern, see Legge, "Flowers
and Fables" nos.79 & 80.
For a Meissen cup and saucer, c.1735-40, see Amor, "Albrecht Collection",
1988.
12. Teabowl
Bow c.1756 D. 6.4cms, 2.5"
Of fluted form, painted with sprigs of stylized cherry blossom, and
ribbon tied bouquets of miniature chrysathemums, branches and leaves, brown
line rim, ensuite with the above.
13. Vase
Bow c.1757 H. 13.75cms, 5.4"
Of small, bulbous bottle shape with a long slender neck flaring at
the top, painted with large swirling stems of chrysanthemums, the reverse
with flower sprigs and an insect.
Provenance:- John Hewett Collection |
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Exhibits 14 and 15
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14. Teabowl
China c.1700-20, enamelled either in Holland or England
Red crossed swords mark D. 7cms, 2.75"
Robert McPherson
Decorated on the exterior with chrysanthemum and prunus hanging from
tendrils, scattered florets, an insect and bird, the interior with a central
floret, a bird and two flower sprays.
Provenance:- Soame Jenyns Collection.
15. Teapot
Limehouse c.1746-48, enamelled in Holland or England H.12.6 cms, 4.5"
Of small size and flattened, globular shape with a pointed acorn finial,
curved spout and a plain rounded handle, decorated with chrysanthemum and
prunus hanging from tendrils, scattered florets, insects and birds, the
design repeated on the cover, the spout and handle with formal plants in
iron red, the finial gilded.
Provenance:- Rev. C.J.Sharp Collection; Bernard Watney Collection.
The design is inspired by Japanese Kakiemon porcelain via Meissen.
The enamelling was done probably by the same hand as on the teabowl above,
either in Holland or by a Dutch decorator working in England.
For a discussion of this decoration, see Watney, "Limehouse Coloured
Wares", ECC Trans. Vol.15 pt.1, 1993. |
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Exhibits 17 and 16
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| 16. Teapot |
Bow c.1753 H. 8.5cms, 3.4"
Of small size, lobed oval shape with straight spout and loop handle,
painted with prunus and chrysanthemum issuing from blue and turquoise rockwork
beneath a ruyi lappet border, the spout and handles with green scrolls.
This is a direct copy of a Japanese original, an example of which can
be seen in the Victoria and Albert Museum, c.413 & A-1909, J.H.Fitzhenry
Gift, illustrated in "Porcelain for Palaces", pl.103, p.142.
17. Bowl or Tureen Base
Bow c.1750-54
Red hunting horn L. 14.6cms, 5.75"
Of lobate form painted with pomegranates, flowers, leaves and insects,
with sparse gilding.
This is a copy of a Chantilly tureen, c.1735.
For the Chantilly original, see Savage, "17th and 18th Century French
Porcelain", pl. 19.
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