18TH-19TH CENTURY

Details

A RARE GREEN AND YELLOW ENAMELED 'DRAGON' STEM BOWL AND STAND
18TH-19TH CENTURY
The exterior of the stem bowl is decorated with two dragons pursuing 'flaming pearls' amidst flames and clouds above a band of cresting waves surrounding the foot, the center of the interior with an apocryphal Hongzhi mark, all under green enamel reserved on a yellow ground. The lobed flange and the splayed foot of the bowl stand are similarly decorated, and the lobed, globular receptacle is decorated with stylized clouds.
6 ¾ in. (17.2 cm.) high

Provenance

Samuel C. Davis (1871-1940) Collection, St. Louis.

Lot Essay

Samuel C. Davis was the son of a prominent family in St. Louis and gained his interest in Chinese ceramics while embarking on a world tour after graduating from Harvard University in 1893 and also from attending the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition where there were displays of Asian art. He purchased many of his pieces from C.T. Loo. Upon his death in 1940, he bequeathed 202 pieces of porcelain, as well as stone, bronze and lacquer to the St. Louis Museum of Art. He also gave some pieces to Harvard University. His brother was Dwight F. Davis, after whom the international tennis tournament Davis Cup is named.

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