CHINE, DYNASTIE QING, EPOQUE KANGXI (1662-1722)

Details

RARE PAIRE DE TERRINES COUVERTES EN PORCELAINE EMAILLEE TURQUOISE
CHINE, DYNASTIE QING, EPOQUE KANGXI (1662-1722)
Toutes deux en forme de conques reposant sur un lit d'algues, la coquille recouverte d'une fine frange dentelée, son extrémité ainsi que la prise en forme de coquillages ; l'une restaurée
Longueur: 26 cm. (10¼ in.) (2)

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT payable at 19.6% (5.5% for books) will be added to the buyer’s premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis

Further details

A PAIR OF RARE TURQUOISE-GLAZED SHELL-SHAPED TUREENS AND COVERS
CHINA, QING DYNASTY, KANGXI PERIOD (1662-1722)

Lot Essay

Shell forms are known in Chinese ceramics as early as the Tang dynasty, when three-colour glazed pottery conch shell brushwashers were made. The conch shell is of course familiar as a decorative motif throughout Chinese art, being one of Buddhism's eight precious symbols. As a vessel capable of making sound, it symbolized the strength of the Buddha's teachings. In the 18th century this tradition continued with the making of shell brushwashers, particularly robin's egg-glazed. In the present example, it seems to have merged with the European notion of animal-form tureens.
Compare the current pair of turquoise-glazed tureens with a pair of iron-red 'shell' tureens sold in our New York Rooms, 26 January 2006, lot 49

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