Chinese Export Porcelain Famille Rose Cachepot or Wine Cooler of Large Size

Details

Description

Chinese Export Famille Rose Porcelain Cachepot or Wine Cooler, Large Size, Circa 1750–1760
Qianlong Period, Circa 1750–1760

This large Chinese … Read more Chinese Export Famille Rose Porcelain Cachepot or Wine Cooler, Large Size, Circa 1750–1760
Qianlong Period, Circa 1750–1760

This large Chinese export porcelain cachepot or wine cooler was made in the Qianlong period, about 1750 to 1760, for the European market, and it is a notably generous size for the form. The straight-sided cylindrical body is finished with an iron-brown rim and carries a pair of applied handles modeled as inverted ribbed shells, painted iron-red with gilt and white scrolls and each finished with a little pendant of iron-red beads.

The rim is hung with a deep border of lappet-shaped panels, their ground worked in dark sepia scrolls and overlaid with famille rose peonies, chrysanthemums, prunus blossom and daisies among turquoise, blue and green leaves, each panel outlined in black-brown and gilt. Between the panels, hanging jewel ornaments of blue double lozenges with turquoise ribbons and iron-red and gilt tassels fill the white reserves. On each side of the body a spreading group of peonies, bamboo and flowering branches grows beside a gilt-veined sepia rock, and a narrow iron-red lappet band runs around the foot. The interior is glazed white and the flat base is unglazed.

The shape copies the European silver and faience bottle cooler, while the painting is entirely Chinese in taste, a combination typical of the finest private-trade export wares of the mid-eighteenth century. It is a versatile piece for a decorator: substantial enough to anchor a console table or hall chest, handsome on a mantel or sideboard filled with orchids, ferns or a mass of cut peonies, and equally at home doing its original job of cooling a bottle on the dining table or bar.

Dimensions
Height: 8 1/4 inches (21 cm)
Diameter: 8 1/4 inches (21 cm)
Width across handles: 10 1/2 inches (26.7 cm)

Marks
Unmarked. The flat base is unglazed and shows concentric turning marks from the wheel.

Provenance
Earle D. Vandekar of Knightsbridge See less