CHINE, XVIIME SIECLE

Compare the decoration on the present basin with that on a jar in Beijing, illustrated in Metal-bodied Enamel Ware, The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 2002, pl. 62. Also compare with the more stylised gamboling lions in pursuit of brocade balls enamelled on the exterior of a bowl dated to the Ming dynasty Jingtai period, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Zhongguo Meishu Quanji: Gongyi meishu bian, vol. 10, Beijing, 1987, no.301. Compare with two other late 16th century basins: the first, with dense lotus scrolls on the everted rim and on the cavetto, and decorated with a carp on the central medallion, included in the exhibition Chinese Cloisonne, The Clague Collection, Phoenix Art Museum, 1980, illustrated in the Catalogue, p. 52, pl. 18; and the other with similar vines encircling large Indian lotuses on the cavetto and decorated with dragon and phoenix on the medallion, illustrated by H. Brinker and A. Lutz, op. cit., pl. 121. A 16th century basin, also decorated with lions and cubs from the C. Ruxton and Audrey B. Love Collection was sold at Christie's New York, The C. Ruxton and Audrey B. Love Collection: Important European Furniture and Asian Works of Art, 20 Oct 2004, lot 1459.