A LARGE CHINESE IMARI CISTERN AND COVER

FIRST QUARTER 18TH CENTURY

Details

A LARGE CHINESE IMARI CISTERN AND COVER
First quarter 18th century
Of architectural outline with a large biscuit Buddhist lion sitting atop the pagoda-roof cover, the applied corner brackets and the curving apron base picked out in gilt and tones of iron-red, a large spray of peony, lilies and melons painted on the front with more on the sides and cover, the cornice above relief-molded with serpents and shou medallions, all between a pair of mythical beast-head and fixed ring handles
26¼in. (66.7cm.) high

Lot Essay

After a Western wall fountain prototype, this form was used in the 17th and early 18th century dining room for serving red wine at room temperature and/or for ablutions. Though found unusually with underglaze blue decoration (see The Benjamin F Edwards III Collection of Chinese Export Porcelain, Christie's New York, 22 January 2002, lot 82) another Chinese Imari example was sold Christie's London, The China Trade, 5 April 2000, lot 50

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