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PROPERTY FROM THE ESTATE OF MARVIN DAVIDSON
A PAIR OF CHINESE EXPORT PORCELAIN DRAGON-CARP TUREENS, COVERS AND STANDS
QIANLONG PERIOD (1735-1796)
Details
A PAIR OF CHINESE EXPORT PORCELAIN DRAGON-CARP TUREENS, COVERS AND STANDS
QIANLONG PERIOD (1735-1796)
Each modeled swimming with an upturned tail, its head with gilt horns, gilt barbels, a brown beard and brown tufts of hair, a row of spiny fins on its back serving as a handle for the cover, the shaped oval stands each enameled in iron-red with a vigorous dragon-carp leaping from frothy waves in pursuit of a flaming pearl, within a green wave border punctuated by flowers and precious objects
9 ¼ in. (23.5 cm.) long, the slightly larger stand
QIANLONG PERIOD (1735-1796)
Each modeled swimming with an upturned tail, its head with gilt horns, gilt barbels, a brown beard and brown tufts of hair, a row of spiny fins on its back serving as a handle for the cover, the shaped oval stands each enameled in iron-red with a vigorous dragon-carp leaping from frothy waves in pursuit of a flaming pearl, within a green wave border punctuated by flowers and precious objects
9 ¼ in. (23.5 cm.) long, the slightly larger stand
Further details
With their bulging black eyes and iron-red scaly bodies, these snarling dragon fish tureens are reminiscent of other very rare Chinese marine life tureens, including eccentric models after crabs and magnificent large carp. Dragons, though often depicted with fierce demeanor, are benevolent symbols in traditional Chinese culture, and closely associated with carp because of the famous 'Dragon Gate' myth, in which a carp swimming upstream in the upper Yellow River scales up a waterfall and transforms into a dragon, symbolizing perseverance and strength.
Another pair of this very rare form (with a single stand) is in the R.A. Collection of Chinese Ceramics, illustrated and discussed by M.A.P. de Matos, A Collector's Vision, London, 2011, II, pp. 110-111, no. 255, inv. no. 502. A single tureen and cover is illustrated in M. Cohen and W. Motley, Mandarin and Menagerie: Chinese and Japanese Export Ceramic Figures, Reigate, 2008, p. 132. A pair of stands is illustrated in S. Marchant, exhibition catalogue, 90th Anniversary Exhibition: Chinese Export Porcelain, London, May 2015, pp. 76-77, cat. no. 49. For further examples, see the pair of tureens and covers sold at Christie's, New York, 27 January 2014, lot 364; and the set of four tureens and covers sold at Sotheby's, London, 3 November 1987, lot 738.
Another pair of this very rare form (with a single stand) is in the R.A. Collection of Chinese Ceramics, illustrated and discussed by M.A.P. de Matos, A Collector's Vision, London, 2011, II, pp. 110-111, no. 255, inv. no. 502. A single tureen and cover is illustrated in M. Cohen and W. Motley, Mandarin and Menagerie: Chinese and Japanese Export Ceramic Figures, Reigate, 2008, p. 132. A pair of stands is illustrated in S. Marchant, exhibition catalogue, 90th Anniversary Exhibition: Chinese Export Porcelain, London, May 2015, pp. 76-77, cat. no. 49. For further examples, see the pair of tureens and covers sold at Christie's, New York, 27 January 2014, lot 364; and the set of four tureens and covers sold at Sotheby's, London, 3 November 1987, lot 738.
Brought to you by
Julia Jones
Associate Specialist
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