YONGZHENG, CIRCA 1735

Details

A pair of enamelled and gilt 'Marie Sybille Merian' saucers
YONGZHENG, CIRCA 1735
Finely enamelled with two caterpillars among a central cluster of a blue iris and pink orchid, a grisaille and iron-red butterfly hovering above, enclosed by an underglaze-blue and gilt floral band in the well, and elaborate scrollwork with acanthus leaves and gilt flower-heads at the border, few minute rim frittings
15.5 cm. diam. (2)

Special notice

Christie's charges a Buyer's premium calculated at 23.205% of the hammer price for each lot with a value up to €110,000. If the hammer price of a lot exceeds €110,000 then the premium for the lot is calculated at 23.205% of the first €110,000 plus 11.9% of any amount in excess of €110,000. Buyer's Premium is calculated on this basis for each lot individually.

Lot Essay

This design is probably taken from a sketchbook of Marie Sibylle Merian (1647-1717), a Dutch botanist and artist who was particularly interested in the study of insects and plants in the Dutch West Indies; it appears to be a combination of details from three sketches in Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium, first published in Holland in 1705. Chinese porcelain decorated with this design was almost certainly made for the Dutch market and is more commonly found in underglaze-blue, white and gilt. Examples in the famille rose palette can be found in the British Museum and the Rijksmuseum amongst others. For an enamelled example, see C.J.A. Jörg, Chinese Ceramics in the Collection of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, 1997, no. 334, p. 287; and in Howard & Ayers, China for the West, vol I, pp. 304-5 (also illustrating a vase of very similar design); and in the Hodroff Collection, The Choice of the Private Trader, D.S. Howard, 1994, no. 60.

More from CHINESE AND JAPANESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART

View All