Lot Essay
As the Ming Dynasty drew to an end in the second quarter of the 17th Century, China was in turmoil with numerous civil wars raging. In the early 1660's the Dutch, keen to revitalise trade links with China, sent an expedition to the mainland and formed the Dutch Embassy. This expedition is described in detail by Dr. Olfert Dapper in Gedenkwaerdig Bedryf Der Nederlandsche Ost-Indische Maetschappye op de Kuste en in pet Keizerijk Varr Taising of Sina (published in Amsterdam in 1670), in which numerous scenes are illustrated.
Cf. the very similar punchbowl in the Mottahedeh Collection, illustrated by D. Howard and J. Ayers, op.cit., vol.I, p.232 and by F. & N. Hervouët and Y. Bruneau, op.cit., p.222, no.9.83. Messrs. Howard and Ayers suggest that the Mottahedeh bowl may commemorate the centenary of the Dutch Embassy expedition, although the scene on the bowl is not taken from any of the engravings in Dr. Dapper's book. They also suggest that 'no other such bowl is recorded'. However, in addition to the present lot, which was previously sold in these Rooms 10 July 1985, lot 317, another was sold in these Rooms, 31 October 1956, lot 31. Cf. also the fishbowl with a very similar design, illustrated by B. Gyllensvärd, op.cit., p.124, pls. 254 and 255.
Cf. the very similar punchbowl in the Mottahedeh Collection, illustrated by D. Howard and J. Ayers, op.cit., vol.I, p.232 and by F. & N. Hervouët and Y. Bruneau, op.cit., p.222, no.9.83. Messrs. Howard and Ayers suggest that the Mottahedeh bowl may commemorate the centenary of the Dutch Embassy expedition, although the scene on the bowl is not taken from any of the engravings in Dr. Dapper's book. They also suggest that 'no other such bowl is recorded'. However, in addition to the present lot, which was previously sold in these Rooms 10 July 1985, lot 317, another was sold in these Rooms, 31 October 1956, lot 31. Cf. also the fishbowl with a very similar design, illustrated by B. Gyllensvärd, op.cit., p.124, pls. 254 and 255.