Lot Essay
A group of seven 'elephant' kendi are illustrated by R. Krahl, Chinese Ceramics in the Topkapi Seray Museum, Istanbul, vol.II, p.460, of which inv. no. TKS 15/2428 is most similar to the present lot; cf. the similar kendi in the collection of Mrs. W. S. Halsey, exhibited at the Burlington Fine Arts Club, 1910, Catalogue, no.L6, pl. XXXVI; another illustrated by J. Alexander Pope, Chinese Porcelains from the Ardebil Shrine, pl.97, fig.29.464 and by T. Misugi, Chinese Porcelain Collections in the Near East, vol.I, fig.A 140, p.228; another similar kendi in the Idemitsu Collection, Catalogue, pl.830; and another was found in the cargo of the Dutch East Indiaman 'Witte Leeuw' wrecked off St. Helena in 1613, inv. no. NG 1977-172W. Two similar examples were sold in these Rooms, 16 July 1973, lot 9; and one on 4 December 1995, lot 101.