A RARE FAMILLE ROSE MODEL OF A SHIP ON WHEELS

CIRCA 1730

Details

A RARE FAMILLE ROSE MODEL OF A SHIP ON WHEELS
Circa 1730
Modelled with three Western figures standing around the pagoda-like sterncastle and a fourth at the base of the mast beside a small, metal movable crank for the raising of the sails, the mast applied with porcelain ladder and rigging for the colorfully enamelled square sails, the prow with a cannon above a gilt Buddhist lion masthead, further cannon issuing from the turquoise and pink gunwales, the pink hull molded with frothy white waves and supported on four movable porcelain wheels molded with turquoise and blue swirls
12in. (31.7cm.) high, 11.1/8in. (28.3cm.) long

Lot Essay

No other famille rose ships and no other models of this size appear to be recorded. Biscuit examples in green, aubergine and yellow are known; see W.R. Sargent, op. cit., pp. 76-78, A. du Boulay, Christie's Pictorial History of Chinese Ceramics, p. 289, and Sotheby's Monaco, June 23, 1986, lot 1054. Sargent discusses the Chinese ceramic tradition of Chinese ship models and written documentation of the Chinese fascination with the strange "foreign" ships