A LARGE BLUE AND WHITE 'BAPTISM OF CHRIST' DISH

Details

A LARGE BLUE AND WHITE 'BAPTISM OF CHRIST' DISH
CIRCA 1725

Painted in inky tones of cobalt blue highlighted in gilt with St. John baptizing Christ in the river Jordan, tall trees growing on the riverbanks and a dove symbolizing the holy spirit shining light down from above, a Delft-style border on the rim of fruits and putti centered at the bottom with the inscription 'Mat,3,16' in a cartouche (large rim break repaired including small replacement piece, one large and several tiny chips)--20in. (50.8cm.) diam.

Lot Essay

At least three other examples of massive blue and white 'Baptism' dishes are known, one offered at Christie's London, June 13, 1990, lot 86, one in the Victoria and Albert Museum and illustrated by Hervouet and Bruneau, op. cit., p. 263, and one illustrated by Howard and Ayers, op. cit., p. 313, where the authors give Matthew's account and note that the Crucifixion, the Anointing of Saul, and the Baptism of Christ are the only biblical subjects to appear in Chinese export porcelain before 1740.